West Chester University Opera Theatre Stages CINDERELLA on November 18 and 19
West Chester University’s Opera Theatre presents CINDERELLA by Pauline Viardot on Friday, November 18 at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, November 19 at 3 p.m. in the Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall, Philips Memorial Building, 700 S. High Street, West Chester. General Admission tickets are $7 at www.wcupatix.com/schoolofmusic. Tickets for faculty, staff, students and children under 12 are FREE.
This playful adaptation of CINDERELLA is a 1904 chamber opera that was originally written in French by a rare-for-its-day female composer, Pauline Viardot. Viardot herself was an acclaimed mezzo-soprano and opera star from a singing family. She was a piano student of Franz Liszt and later arranged many of Chopin’s Mazurkas as songs. One of her arranged Mazurkas by Chopin is included in this production and sung by the Fairy Godmother.
Assistant Professor and Director of Opera Nicholas Provenzale says, “We are thrilled to welcome audiences of all ages to see CINDERELLA. It is the perfect introduction to opera for every age. It follows the familiar and popular classic fairytale, the music is beautiful and accessible, it is performed in an English translation with English supertitles, and it is just a little over an hour long. We invite the entire community to join us for this magical, family-friendly opera.”
WCU Opera’s production of CINDERELLA includes 14 students with accompaniment by one onstage pianist. Vocal Performance major Zoe Bennett (Malvern, PA) performs in the title role as CINDERELLA with Nile Gay (Harrisburg, PA) as the Prince.
Bennett says, “I can’t wait for everyone to see this show. I am having so much fun experimenting with the multi-dimensional and complex character of Cinderella as she works her way through neglect, self-doubt, hope, love and fear. Singing Viardot’s beautiful music is an added bonus!”
The remaining members of the cast include: Kiley Aikey (Mifflinburg, PA), David Arlen (Wayne, PA), James Baker (Souderton, PA), Daniel Doyle (Richboro, PA), Lauren Fetzer (Penndel, PA), Joe Galdi (King of Prussia, PA), Albert Gonzales (Scranton, PA), Jacqueline Kelly (Bala Cynwyd, PA), Jess McNeely (Yardley, PA), Grace Vickery (Royersford, PA), Bridget Warner (Bethlehem, PA), Julia Webster (Stroudsburg, PA), and Pianist Ben Pessognelli
Limited parking is available across and along the street just outside the Philips Memorial Building. Parking is also available in West Chester’s M Lot. Purchasing tickets in advance is strongly encouraged.
West Chester University’s Wells School of Music is accredited with the National Association of Schools of Music, and offers programs in Music Performance, Education, Theory, History, Composition, Music with Elective Studies in an Outside Field, and Music Therapy. With state-of-the-art rehearsal and performing facilities and scholarship opportunities, students can perform in multiple ensembles, including band, vocal/choral, orchestra and more. Students study with renowned faculty who have dual careers as dedicated educators and professional musicians. Wells School of Music faculty and student perform more than 200 concerts annually.