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Students of the D’Angelo Department of Music got a taste of the big stage this weekend with the production of “Opera Pops and Sizzles.”

The show was presented on Friday and Saturday night at 8 p.m. and on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. in the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center (PAC).

This production was directed by Brent Weber and conducted by Stephen Colantti. Lighting design was done by Matt Herinke.

Voice students from the music department were showcased in a way that allowed everyone to share the spotlight, from freshmen to seniors. Each person had a part and a solo, so that they could all have a chance to sing for the audience.

Selections for this production included the most famous opera solos and ensembles. Composers included Mozart, Verdi, Puccini and Bizet. Many pieces were recognizable to audience members as being in commercials or background music in movies.
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Some audience favorites of this production included “La ci darem la mano” from “Don Giovanni,” sung by junior Katie Wagner and freshman Eric Delagrange, as well as “Quando me’n vo” from “La Boheme,” sung by senior Andrea Baker.

The singers were all magnificent, but one thing that lacked was a storyline to hold the musical selections together. It was almost as if it was a concert, with different people performing their pieces at certain times.

Sophomore audience member Michelle Mula said that, “it was easy to know which song was which, even with no musical background.”
Students participated in all aspects of this production, including cast, pit and crew.

Senior Lynn Dula sang as Carmen in “Les tringles des sistres” from “Carmen,” and as Maddalena in “Un di seben rammeatomi” from “Rigoletto.” She described her experience as “much different than a typical opera, but it was both challenging and rewarding to learn several characters and songs at once.”
Tyler Stauffer photo
Tyler Stauffer photo