Spring Break
Conservatory says hello to break with 'Albert Herring'
Amy Wright
Issue date: 12/1/08 Section: Culture
|
The Conservatory started the break with a wonderful production of Benjamin Britten's "Albert Herring." This comic opera in three acts showcase a wide variety of UMKC talent in an elaborate tale of a small English village in 1900.
"Albert Herring" opens as a town committee gathers to determine the virtuous young woman to be named "Queen of the May." When all nominees are deemed unworthy, the committee is forced to elect the pure and virtuous young Albert as "King of the May" instead.
The opera chronicles the rather comic effects of this unfortunate decision. When his friends secretly mix rum in his drink, Albert unwittingly becomes drunk for the first time, and heads off for a night of intoxication, fighting and womanizing.
Albert returns the next morning to find his friends mourning his alleged death, and finds his submissiveness is conquered and has now traversed the journey into manhood.
"Albert Herring" cleverly tackles the classic dilemma of young manhood: who defines how one should be? The older generation casts down a pious look on youth, clinging to strict tradition and hopeless ideals, while ignoring the very self-actualization which the young seek. Here, the townspeople believe they are honoring Albert's virtue, yet he feels nothing but shame and embarrassment.
UMKC's production is nothing short of professional. As a student of voice myself, I am constantly amazed by the amount of talent that surrounds me in the Conservatory.
In fact, many opera students are busy working professionally in companies throughout the city while pursuing Master's and Doctorate candidacies.
As the show was double cast (with many parts played by two separate actors on alternating nights), I did not have the opportunity to see all cast members.
Ben Gulley performed effortlessly in the title role, with a voice as seamless as simple speech, and captured the many transitions of Albert's character with ease.
Katelyn Mattson-Levy easily commanded attention with comical, bloated self-importance as a wonderfully imposing Lady Billows, who demands embarrassing deference from her townspeople.
Be the first to comment on this story