Page 10-The Michigan Daily - Friday, September 25, 1992 Music prof by Kirk Wetters Performers who visit the Univer- sity usually excite the most interest, but we shouldn't overlook the tal- ented individuals who reside in Ann Arbor. One such artist is Willis C. Patterson, a University graduate and voice professor of 25 years. Patterson has a low bass voice with an exceptionally rich tone, well-suited to a wide variety of mu- sic. He began his career as a jazz vocalist, but quickly expanded into concert and operatic repertoire. The recital will reflect the full range of his experience, beginning with two selections by Handel, one operatic and the other from the oratorio "Jephtha." The bulk of the program reflects to perform Patterson's devotion to American composers. Of special interest is the premiere performance of a cycle of five African-American spirituals en- titled "Gabriel's Call." These songs were composed for Patterson by his friend, Noel DaCosta. Patterson will also perform a group of songs by another superb American composer, John Duke. "Duke is a fine com- poser of American art songs," Pat- terson said, "whose work is under- appreciated and under-performed." Besides performing works by American composers, Patterson has worked to expand American music in other ways. He is the president of the National Association of Negro Musicians, a 75-year-old organiza- tion which supports African-ameri- The perverse pleasures of 'Marquis' by Megan Abbott Fans of "The Cook, the Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover" often reject criticisms of the film's gratuitous sex and violence on the grounds that the movie is not really about sexual sadism, cannibalism, and torture. Instead, they argue, it is about the industrial revolution, or the rise of the bourgeoisie, or the dehumanization of 20th century society. However, what we are given is a series of degrading, sensationalistic scenes which al- legedly make grand philosophical points about politics. The Belgian-French film "Marquis" is similar in this respect. It is the story of the Marquis de Sade's impris- onment directly preceding the French Revolution. Of course, any film based on the notorious Sade's life ne- cessitates exploration into the themes of sado- masochism and sexual perversionthat were so elemen- tal to his work. But the film does not aspire to high seriousness in its look at Sade. "Marquis" takes quite a different ap- proach. First, all the characters are played by actors wearing animal masks. Second, one of the central char- acters is that of the Marquis' "own sex" (as the film- makers tactfully put it). A strange mix of allegory and CMPS C I Marquis Directed by Henri Xhonneux; written with art direction by Roland Torpor; with Francois Marthouret. literary phallocentrism ensues. However, "Marquis" is a decidedly mixed bag. When it celebrates its own ribald wit and proceeds to make fun of its. own pretensions, it is fairly winning. That is, it is hard not to enjoy the irony in the use of a female voice for the character of the Marquis' sex organ (named Colin). But when the two engage in philoso- phizing, the film quickly becomes tedious. The film takes itself far too seriously when it tries to step beyond straight satire. After all, these are practically Muppets we are looking at and some of the sexual play is more akin to an X-rated Benny Hill rerun than Sade's work. This is an "art film," and an experimental one. It de- serves credit for its innovation, its expressive art direc- tion, and its often infective humor. All of this makes "Marquis" a memorable and distinct experience. MARQUIS plays tonight at 7:30 & 9:30 at MLB 4. 0 0 Patterson can music. Patterson also works lo- cally and nationally to expand musi- cal opportunities for under under- privileged children. WILLIS C. PAITERSON will give a recital tonight at 8 at the Music School Recital Hall. Admission is free. 1 Are you bothered by Obsessions or Compulsions??? E1 I have disturbing thoughts il feel driven to repeat O I repeatedly wash my that come into my mind certain actions over hands or check things again and again and over again El These thoughts or E I cannot control these thoughts EThese obsessions or actions are time [:: These thoughts and/or compulsions interfere with my consuming but I can't actions do not concern food daily routine, job and/or social life stop them If you suffer from these or similar symptoms ... you may have a treatable illness called Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Volun- teers are needed for a free medication treatment program, including free exams and follow-up advice. For more information call Hedieh at the U-M Anxiety Disorders Program . (313) 764-5349 DARK Continued from page 8 The second half of the play was far better - the con men got things rolling. Carlino (Thom Johnson) took off as he neurotically wiped ev- erything he left a finger or chinprint on. The only major pitfall was Roat, Sr. (Hunt). You couldn't understand him unless you were reading his mind. Overall, the play almost got the audience to the edge of their seats. "Dark" was enjoyable, but you had to wait for the second half for things to get interesting. Eastern 1'0o9 j Michigan University & Presents Friday " September 25th " 8:00pm * Bowen Field House BEDFELLOWS Continued from page 9 Fledermaus" to cheer herself up. "I cried through the whole thing," she reminisces of the usually light- hearted Strauss comedy. "There was something in me that was totally re- leased through music." Music had always been a con- stant in Warren's life - her mother was an opera singer - and she had studied voice for several years. Upon her return to the States, though discouraged strongly by others who have made the same forays into the professional world, Warren was de- termined to form a company which could provide the same kind of ther- apy she found in Vienna. Papagena's new show, which played last weekend in Hamburg, is called "Politics and Strange Bedfel- lows." It features a quartet of singers performing excerpts from operas and musicals by Puccini, Bernstein, Verdi, Massenet, and Bock, among others. As the title suggests, political themes are the common denomina- tor. The show opens with a card- playing scene from "Fiorello." "That's really what politics is, who holds the best deck of cards, who's got the best hand," Warren com- ments. "There are sexual politics, family politics ... it really opens up everything. There's a scene from 'Faust', which is sell-your-soul-to- the-devil politics. 'Trouble in Tahiti,' that's family politics. We're talking family values there ... take any theme from this year's election," she wisecracks. The cast consists of local singers: Maria Cimarelli, soprano (Frances Brockington performs in her place on Sunday); Ruth DeBoer, mezzo- soprano; tenor David Troiano; and baritone Scott Jensen, who also di- rected the production. Warren notes that Ann Arbor isn't lacking talented musicians, and says that in forming her company, her goal was to pro- vide paying jobs for vocalists, who are often expected to perform gratis. Although most of us associate opera with enormous music halls, Warren likes the intimacy of Kerry- town. "Being right next to a singer, you hear the full beauty of the voice," she says, "nothing is hidden ... the performer might sing to somebody in the audience, or brush by them going down the aisle. In our shows, the audience is so much a part of the production." Warren's voice softens when she describes how a singer inhabits her role: "The true performer has the essence of the role in her, even if it's just one aria; we've got Maria singing 'Un bel di', and all of a sudden when she's Madama Butterfly, she's trans- formed, you can just see her." Suddenly, Warren's eyes light up and she ventures another connection between opera and politics. Perform- ing, she says, is "total exposure" of one's being, "it makes a performer different from a politician. A politi- cian can't really bare his soul, but he has to look like he does. True opera singers have to bare so much of themselves, and politicians can never do that." POLITICS AND OTHER STRANGE BEDFELLOWS runs at the Kerry- town Concert House through Sun- day. Call 769-2999 for information. I - 01%SaeIov GUEST: ' . + < .ti ,.. Adt Available at all TicketMaster locations and 6TH AVE. AT LIBERTY 761-9700 53 5DAILY SHOWS BEFORE 6 PM 1$3.2 V ALL DAY TUESDAY' -exceptions STUDENT WITH I.O. $3.50 SARAHM f4:5, 7:05,98:15 A UiL Aar * *hoopi Goldberg * *2:1,4:, 0