ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Aberdeen University/Civic Symphony will present a
choral-orchestral concert to celebrate the 200th anniversaries of the births of Giuseppe Verdi and Richard Wagner.
Both composers, the most important and influential opera composers of the 19th century, were born in 1813, and their music is being studied and performed throughout the world this year. The concert, sponsored by Dacotah Bank, will be 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, in the Northern State University Johnson Fine Arts Center.
The program – conducted by the orchestra’s music director, Dr. Robert Vodnoy – will open with Wagner’s brilliant “Overture to Rienzi.” The NSU Collegiate Choir will join the orchestra to perform “The Pilgrim’s Chorus” from Wagner’s “Tannhäuser.” The choir and the Northern opera theater will join the orchestra to perform the entire act II finale from Verdi’s “La traviata.” The chorus will be prepared by choir director Dr. Timothy Woods. The cast of singers from the opera theater program will be prepared by Michael Skyles.
The “La traviata” performance will be
staged by Dan Yurgaitis, who will lead a pre-concert conversation about staging Verdi and Wagner at 6 p.m. in Berggren Recital Hall.
“La traviata,” which means “The Fallen Woman,” tells the story of a Parisian courtesan named Violetta, who is in love with Alfredo but gives him up at the behest of Alfredo’s father, Germont. The performance will be semi-staged, with the choir (portraying the guests) standing behind the orchestra, and the lead singers (in costume) singing in front of the orchestra and acting the scene.
The role of Violetta will be sung by Dr. Darci Bultema. The role of Alfredo will be sung by Skyles. The role of Germont will be sung by Matt Harmel. Other titled roles will be sung by Megan Rose Case (Flora), Anthony Rohr (Gastone), Paul Hoselton (the Baron), Joe Weseloh (the Marquis) and Cody Swanson (the Doctor). Fourteen other NSU voice or musical theater members will perform the singing and dancing roles of the gypsies and matadors. Rebecca Fahey is the costumer for the production.
Tickets for the concert may be purchased in advance at Engel Music in downtown Aberdeen. Cost is $13 for adults and $11 for seniors. Students are admitted free of charge. The night of the concert, tickets will be available at the box office, which is located in the lobby of the JFAC and opens at 6 p.m.
For more information, contact the NSU School of Fine Arts office at 605-626-2497 or visit the orchestra’s website at
www.aberdeensymphony.org.
LA TRAVIATA, Act II Finale cast list:
Soloists
Violetta – Darci Bultema: Aberdeen, S.D.
Alfredo – Michael Skyles: Aberdeen, S.D.
Flora – Megan Case: Scranton, N.D.
Giorgio Germont – Matthew Harmel: Aberdeen, S.D.
Gastone – Anthony Rohr: Dickinson, N.D.
Baron Douphol – Paul Hoselton: Fargo, N.D.
Marquis D’Obigny – Joe Weseloh: Watertown, S.D.
Doctor Grenvil – Cody Swanson, Langford, S.D.
Gypsies:
Natalie Allcock: Britton, S.D.
Lara Brink: Artesian, S.D.
Kaitlyn Buchholz: Tripp, S.D.
Larissa Buchholz : Tripp, S.D.
Emily Davis: Aberdeen, S.D.
Jeanna Jerde: Aberdeen, S.D.
Matadors:
Jon Miller: Kimball, S.D.
Max Chamberlain: Huron, S.D.
Robbie Klassen: Sioux City, Iowa
Picadors:
Nate Wilson: Kimball, S.D.
Eli Corbett: Lead, S.D.
Jake Ebsen: Milbank, S.D.
Brindisi Soloists:
Larissa Buchholz: Tripp, S.D.
Emily Davis, Aberdeen, S.D.
Jeanna Jerde, Aberdeen, S.D.
Anthony Rohr, Dickinson, N.D.
ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY/CIVIC SYMPHONY PERSONNEL
Violin I
Lindsey Fluharty# Prior Lake, Minn.
Nancy Ohnstad Aberdeen
Katarzyna Jedeluk Chicago, Ill.
Andy Johnson Aberdeen
Gregg Magera Aberdeen
Everaldo Martinez Bismarck, N.D.
Violin II
Teresa Witteman# Aberdeen
Joseph Weseloh Watertown
Kallyn Jerde Aberdeen
Alexis Doerr Aberdeen
Shari Theroux Aberdeen
Xin Wang Beijing, China
Sookyoung Park Seoul, South Korea
Viola
Brady Haar# Aberdeen
Meagan Teply Aberdeen
Jamie Stadel Aberdeen
Cello
Stuart Davidson# Crocker
Natasha Tharp Watertown
Karen Anderson Aberdeen
Taylor Johnson Aberdeen
John Wieland Aberdeen
Rebecca Fahey Spearfish
Bass
Josh Kimball# Aberdeen
Flute and Piccolo
Charity Ost# Aberdeen
Steve Zimoski Mobridge (piccolo)
Oboe and English horn
Christel Kellar# Aberdeen
Frederic J.B. Hemke Aberdeen (English horn)
Clarinet
Charlotte Mallard# Huron
John Patzlaff Platte
Bassoon
Anna Dzieweczynski# Inver Grove Heights, Minn.
Michelle Mennis Wahpeton, N.D.
Horn
Ginny Lewis# Aberdeen
Jaime Kessler Jamestown
Brandon Sieck Onida
Gretchen Sharp Bath
Trumpet
Amanda Wentz# Bismarck, N.D.
Hillary Sward Dell Rapids
Calvin Cramer Buffalo
Alec Nelson Jamestown, N.D.
Trombone
Justin Kones# Aberdeen
Delayna LaBelle Sturgis
Tyler Schwan Minot, N.D.
Tuba
Alan Biermeier Plankinton
Timpani and Percussion
Carrie Pospishil Yankton
Luke Bergjord Aberdeen
Jordan Seidel Rapid City
Joel Schlottman Rapid City
Top photo, Bultema; bottom photo, Skyles