Eastern Michigan University presented its first full-scale opera, “Dido and Aeneas,” on Thursday in Pease Auditorium.
“Many departments collaborated on this event to create the first full-scale opera in EMU history,” director MeeAe Nam said. “This was very special, an interdisciplinary performance, basically three departments combined for this piece.”
Sung in English, “Dido and Aeneas” is the story of two lovers doomed by the mischievous Sorceress to be parted by death. Dido, queen of Carthage, accepts Aeneas’ proposal despite her fears that it will make her a weak monarch.
The Sorceress sends her trusted elf disguised as Mercury to convince Aeneas to sail for Italy and leave Dido, but as his ship prepares to depart Aeneas has a change of heart. He decides to defy the gods and stay by his love’s side, but he is rejected by Dido because of his decision to leave. After Aeneas finally departs, Dido’s life comes to an end.
Dress rehearsal the Tuesday prior to the performance was crunch time, and excitement filled the auditorium. The cast and crew stood together on stage, seeming more like a family than a performing group and hopes were high for Thursday’s show.
Cast as witches, EMU students Chelsea Moores and Kyndall Isham talked about some of the challenges and joyful moments they had preparing for this opera.
“It was fun to act together. We have a lot of classes together,” Moores said about her castmates. “One of my challenges was getting into the music of the time period.”
Sean Michael O’Conner, playing the role of the Sorceress, practiced as long as two hours per night. O’Conner said one of his focuses in preparation was learning the art of speaking through song and syllable stressing.
Eric Smith, who played Aeneas, said his challenge was getting into the character and finding different ways to say lines.
Actress and vocalist Maria Velasquez, playing the lead role of Dido, said her greatest hurdle was the death scene.
“No one wants to die in real life, so it was a challenge controlling my emotions while practicing the death scene,” Velasquez said.
Nam chose this particular piece for a number of reasons. Though fairly well-known, “Dido and Aeneas” is not often the first thought when opera comes to mind.
“[It] makes for great music,” Nam said. “It’s a great choice for students because it was not so long.”
The one-hour piece helped students better digest the learning experience, since most operas are usually longer.
“Students were very new to opera; it was a journey for them,” Nam said.
The Thursday night show began with a full house. Members of the local community, faculty, family and many EMU students came to show their support.
“Eastern has a lot of talent,” sophomore Amanda Wright said.
Monica Swartout-Bebow, a member of the voice faculty, said the performance was a “wonderful collaboration” and “splendid in its simplicity.”
Velasquez’ moving performance as she sung “Dido’s Lament” left some audience members teary-eyed.
