The Michigan Daily - Friday, April 16, 1999 - 9 'Dido and Aeneas' offers beautiful score By Jeff Druchniak Daily Arts Writer Many people don't know very much about the Michigan Opera Works. It's still a relatively new- born group on the campus arts scene. But this weekend, students will have the chance to get to know the outfit a little better. That's because the MOW will perform its spring production, Henry Purcell's "Dido and Aeneas," at the School of Music's McIntosh Theater tonight at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. The Michigan Opera Works is not formally affil- iated with the School of Music, but it draws almost exclusively on graduate and undergraduate Music students who formed the group because they want- ed another outlet for opera on campus. Previously, the School of Music's two annual operas prover- bially ran the only game in town. Music sophomore David Gordon and Music doc- toral student Tania Miller return to direct and con- duct the opera, respectively, having done the same with last fall's "The Rape of Lucretia." They are assisted by choreographer Janna Van Hoven and lighting designer Aaron Sporer. The new production has no less of a literary pedi- gree than the former, being drawn from the titular episode of Virgil's epic poem "The Aeneid." But "Dido and Aeneas," a one-act opera from the baroque period, r poses different challenges than "The Rape of Lucretia," a full- Dido and length 20th Century piece.' Aeneas "It's a structurally simple McIntosh Theater work - only 50 minutes long Tonight at 8 - but deceptively simple," Sunday at 2 p.m. Gordon said. "It can be very challenging to make the rela- tionships between these char- acters clear, even though they seem that way on the surface." Part of that challenge stems from the unique demands of Purcell's baroque music, which the MOW will attempt to recapture with its orchestral ensemble. In addition to the usual string section, conductor Miller also has at her disposal a harpsichord and a lute. Gordon adds that the style of the music is particularly challenging to the musi- cians, since it requires bursts of improvisation with- in a tightly controlled framework. Another challenge for the production has been adapting to the demands of the performing space. The nearly chamber-like qualities of the Mcintosh Theatre have required discipline for the production staff, who have designed a minimalist set for their cast of 22 Music students. In addition to chorus, supporting characters and a pair of featured dancers, the production stars Eliza Warner and Michael Gallant as the doomed lovers Dido and Aeneas. The central crisis of the story is Dido's torment and tragic reaction when the wan- dering Aeneas, the lone survivor of the Trojan army, is compelled to depart from her embrace. It's a quality story, and it has shown considerable endurance, but Gordon offers a reminder that it is not the focus of the cast, crew, and orchestra's labors. So what is "Dido and Aeneas" really about? Simple, says Gordon. "It's about beautiful music." Courtesy of David Smith Photography Jessica Murphy, Joe Harrell, Daniel Reichard, Barrett Foa and Brittany Brown gave o of the best of all possible performances of "Candide" last night. Can dide gives - best possible tr 'U' students to bring e-music to League stopper Tkaczyk Arts Editor In the best of all possible depart- ments in one of the best of all possible universities comes the best of all possi- ble productions of the best of all possi- ble shows. Last night's opening of "Candide" by the University's depart- ment of musical theater reaffirmed its abilities and abundance of talent and that, yes, Leonard Bernstein is still cer- ly The Maestro. Crowd-pleasing and intriguing are merely two small descriptions for the work of genius that is "Candide." When presented well, it is stunning and imaginative; it takes more than talent and training to conduct a quality pro- duction of the piece. As Dr. Pangloss reveals towards the end of the show, true happiness is achieved only when honest work is committed by all - the k Candide Power Center April 15, 1999 only means by which life may be endured. The departments' hard efforts have returned ten-fold with an award- deserving presen- tation. Last night's audience experienced true happiness, thanks to the honest work put forth by an amazing ensemble and His performance of "It Must Be So" brought tears to the eye and hope to the heart. Reichard was perfectly matched with Jessica Murphy, who portrayed the forsaken and brothel-stricken Cunegonde. Murphy's soprano trick- led with the golden sweetness of dripping honey. Her performance of "Glitter and Be Gay" nearly stopped the show with the amazing vocal acrobatics that she delivered simply and with ease. Although her voice is soft, she better characterized the role than most coloratura can do in con- cert performance. Capping off the song with the highest of trilling crests, the bejewelled Murphy capti- vated suitors onstage and off. As Dr. Pangloss, Barrett Foa was wise and secure in the guise of an old man. Foa possesses a strong ability for character voice, and made Pangloss believeablely real. From his quick delivery of theory in "The Best of All Possible Worlds" to the sage offerings of the final scene, Foa bril- liantly narrated the tale with a sense of dignity and penache. Courtney Balan stole the show as the one-bunned Old Woman. With her per- fect kvetching and messhugenah yenta- isms, Balan diverted audience attention everytime she spoke or made each entrance. In the hilarious "I Am Easily Assimilated" dance. number, Balan combined comedic talent with youthful dancing to redefine the term "experi- enced." Her recounting of how the Old Woman becomes half-assed is a plea- sure in itself. Set designer Vince Mountain per- fectly advantaged stage space for the cast of 42 with a skeletal blue con- struction of stairs and scaffolding, taking them from Westphalia to Lisbon, Eldorado and Constantinople, with a few stops in-between. George Bacon's colorful costumes, particular- ly those in the Auto-de-F6 and Eldorado scenes, were touching to the eye and complemented Bernstein's breath-taking score. Conductor Ben Whiteley and his talented collection of musicians start- ed the evening with an excellent ren- dition of the popular "Candide" over- ture and continued to shine through to the very finale. Director Brent Wagner minded well when choosing the difficult piece, and should be congratulated on presenting the best of all possible interpretations, showing that with a bit of honest work, the toils of labor can reap a fruitful harvest. By Jason Birchmeier Daily Arts Writer Two University students are attempt- ing to create an electronic dance music community on campus. LSA Junior Doris Payer and Engineering first-year student Greg Damiani have formed a student organization called State:Awake. In addition, they have teamed up with Michigan League pro- gramming to host a free night of elec- tronic music at the League Underground. An all-ages event advertised as "a free alternative to binge drinking," State:Awake is hoping to bring togeth- er several local DJs and the growing population of party kids. Tonight they attempt to begin establishing this Friday night musical community char- acterized by exciting music, crazy dancing and socialization. amaa State: Awake League Underground Tonight at 9 Payer and Damiani formed State:Awake in an effort to expose the campus to the virtues of electronic music. The concept arose "so that the party kids at this school have a group that works for them to bring DJs they want to hear to a location near them at a lower cost to them than a Detroit party," Payer said. "I think there is a lot of interest in electronic dance music today," Damiani said. "Ann Arbor is no-exception. The prob- lem with this is that people turn on MTV and think that Fatboy Slim is what it's all about. There's so much more to it. There's so much superior music out there that people aren't exposed to.' State:Awake plans to showcase many different local DJs of varying styles at their event. Engineering first- year student Cameron Sherding (DJ Shogun) will spin what he describes as "a variety of hardstep and aggressive drum and bass tracks." University graduate Tom Linder (T-Linder) will spin techno while Derek Plaslaiko will visit from Detroit with a special set of disco. As a headliner for their event, State:Awake has brought in DJ Spree from Minneapolis. Spree spins a style of music seldom heard in the U.S.: happy hardcore. Originally a British hybrid of techno, happy hardcore -is characterized by ultra-fast, jackham- mering bass beats. Not relaxing by any means, Spree's high-energy set will be a suiting conclusion to the diverse night of music. "The DJs we decided to book offer a wide range of electronic music," Damiani said. "There are many differ- ent genres. In addition, they are peo- ple we feel can provide the energy and atmosphere that we're trying to create." "It's really difficult to get any kind of name recognition - with everybody being a DJ these days - so we want to give some of the local kids a chance to get their name out there and just play out and have fun,' Payer said. "Plus, there's plenty of talent to be found in your local scene, and they don't ask for a huge paycheck and superstar perks.' See AWAKE, Page 10 Easy-access top pocket I Horseshoe-shaped zipper for easy access even stronger principal players. Based upon the satire by Voltaire, the musical follows the journey of Candide, a bastard son who's fallen in love with Cunegonde, daughter to the Baron of the house in which he lives. dging pirates and Bulgarians and aniards of the Inquisition, Candide traverses the world in search of Cunegonde and the meaning of life. Along the way, he meets and befriends numerous individuals, including the Old Woman, who offers him love advice. His teacher, Dr. Pangloss (the cunning Voltaire, in disguise), offers him theories on the best of all possible worlds, meaning that everything hap- pens for the best of reasons. In the end, ndide discovers that true happiness n only be found in an honest day's work. In short, its like "The Wizard of Oz," but for the philosophically elite. This production shined with an amazing cast - all excellent in each definition of the term. As Candide, Daniel Reichard was charming and rich, offering a youth- ful, yet debonair quality to the part. It'll carry you a lifetime Summer in Europe. Job interview in D.C. Teach English on Tonga Wedding in Chicago (not yours). Go snoWboarding ini Utah. 5-year reunion in Ann Arbor.-.. Check out the Porter at: BIVOUAC 336 S. State St " Ann Arbor, MI , Internal pocketing fif Padded suspension system Shoulder strap attachments patagoni tel. 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