With a cast gathered from around the country and spanning generations of actors, the Louisiana Opera performs Tosca this Friday and Sunday, April 1st and 3rd at the Emy Lou Beidenharn Recital Hall at the University of Louisiana Monroe. The opera,sung in Italian and written by Puccini is full of big, dramatic songs.
According to Director Mark Clark, the opera's middle act functions more like a play in itself, meaning that performers must rely not only on their singing ability, but their acting skills as well. In order to cast this difficult work, Clark reached out across the country. Joining the cast from New York Metropolitan Opera is Alan Glassman.
"I've known Alan for 44 years. In fact the first opera the we were involved in was 'Tosca' where I had the part of the jailor and he was on the firing squad shooting the tenor. Now he is the tenor," says Clark.
Several students from thye University of Louisiana Monroe also fill the cast, and gain valuable experience working with more seasoned actors like Glassman. Several roles are filled by even younger actors.
"These youngsters are grade 2, 3, 4, and 5 -- these grades are already receiving a tremendous education in languages. So, to be singing in Italian,k getting to know what the words are meaning, and what this environment is like is inspiring to them, and it's inspiring to us," explains Clark.
The Friday performance begins at 7 p.m. with VIP Gala before the performance. The Sunday performance begins at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at Fiesta Nutrition in Monroe, or by calling 342-3247.
