September 11-13 7:30 PM, 3PM Matinee on Saturday
Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center, 2525 Taylorsville Blvd.
Oedipus Tex
Were it not for the discovery and subsequent mentoring of the compositions of PDQ Bach (1807 – 1742) by “Department of Musical Pathology Professor Peter Schickele of the University of Southern North Dakota at Hoople”, USNDH, the world of classical music would be bleak indeed. This least known son of the great Johann Sebastian Bach continued the familial musical traditions laid down by W.F. Bach, C.P.E. Bach, J.C.F. Bach, J.C. Bach with a substantial variety of musical works including symphonies, chamber music, operas as well as the comically tragic Oedipus Tex, which is technically a “Dramatic Oratorio for SATB, SATB Choir and Orchestra”. Staged in Thebes Gulch, Texas we follow Oedipus (“they call me Ed!”) from the curious Prologue, ”Tragedy”, through hilarious scenes concluding with the Chorus and Finale, sung by the “OK Chorale” or “Chorus of the Plains”, you choose. A knowledge and appreciation of “great music” is not a prerequisite for enjoying this extraordinary “Horse Opera”. (Sorry, couldn’t resist!) As a matter of fact, if you take your music too seriously, you will miss much of the comedic genius of Professor Schickele’s discovery.
Like most great plays and operas, there are arias, choruses, recitatives, romance, intrigue, murder, self-mutilation and humor. All of this in about 25 minutes along with numerous idiomatic parodies performed by terrific local talent:
Oedipus Tex: Seth Kershisnik
Narrator: Mitchell Sturges
Madam Peep: Mandi Barrus
Billie Jo Casta: Chelsea Alexandra
Chorus: Clara Hurtado Lee, Emily Anderson, Tyler Oliphant, John Knight Allen, Brian Tanner, Anthony Buck, Anna Romney
Piano: Monica Hymas
Horn: Scott Dickson
Director: Anthony Buck
Conductor: Evie Gilden
Seriously, you don’t want to miss this genius of Peter Schikele performed by an excellent cast of players!
Butch Cassidy Hops a Train
A new opera is also being premiered alongside “Oedipus Tex”! Composer Monica Hymas and Librettist Anthony Buck have collaborated in “Butch Cassidy Hops a Train”. We are incredibly fortunate to have so many marvelous musicians prepared and willing to offer up this World Premiere. I didn’t know whether to expect a tragedy, a comedy or a love story. And therein lies the magic of a World Premiere. Much like Forrest Gump’s mama said, “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.” This, for lack of a better term, chamber opera explores the inner conflicts and paranoia of Butch Cassidy as he, The Sundance Kid and Etta Place are escaping to Bolivia on a train with their bags of money and suspected detectives on their trail. A brief dream encounter between Butch and his mother had a Bohemian Rhapsody feel to it whether intentional or not. I think there is good reason to anticipate the next offering of these two talented authors!
Butch Cassidy: Tyler Oliphant
Sundance Kid: Anthony Ruiz
Etta Place: Anna Romney
Ann Bassett: Clara Hurtado Lee
Butch’s Mother: Emily Anderson
The Man: John Night Allen
Chorus: Chelsea Alexandra, Mandi Barrus, Brian Tanner
Conductor: Evie Gilden
Director: Anthony Buck
Lighting: Dan Pack
Costume Designer: Paige Wilson
Project Designer: Ryan Mansfield
Piano: Monica Hymas
Clarinet: Daron Bradford
Violin: Christine Warren
Bass: Liz Lambson
Cultural Performers from the Ute Indian Tribe: Daniel Cesspooch & Phillip Manning
Opera Contempo
These two productions represent tremendous progress in a notoriously difficult paradigm of local productions! The performers were all outstanding and the overall effect was excellent! This company has earned and deserves appreciative audiences as much or more than the standard offerings of imported performers with limited local identity and loyalty.
September 11-13 7:30 PM, 3PM Matinee on Saturday
Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center, 2525 Taylorsville Blvd.
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