Ensembles
Louisiana College Opera Workshop Presents:
The Musical Adventures of Jack and Jill
Although technically the Louisiana College Department of Music presents a night of operatic scenes by various composers, the performance is, in truth, the well known, oft repeated “Saga of Jack and Jill”, told through the centuries in differing operatic settings tied together with music by Sigmund Spaeth, some narration excerpts by S. L. Rothafel, and text revisions by Dr. Frey and cast.
The Musical Adventures of Jack and Jill opens with a quartet “in the rain” from Beethoven’s Fidelio, O What a Joy. After an artful introduction to the classic poem “Jack and Jill” to music by Douglas Moore from Gallantry, the real action begins, set in the 1600s (Spaeth/Handel) followed by a pathetic Jill singing to music by Mozart while looking for her missing Jack.
The ancient tale then moves to the early 1800s and is retold to Spaeth/Schubert’s “The Trout,” Jack and Jill making a playful entrance, experiencing the subsequent fall, recovery, retrieval and refilling of the pail of water.
They take the water immediately into the house. Here the appearance of freshly cut oxtails on the kitchen table brings about a declaration by Jack of the merits of Oxtail Stew. Two freshly killed rabbits joyfully brought in by her two friends are prepared by Jill while everyone helps singing Rabbit at Top Speed (both by Leonard Bernstein). Sitting in his father’s chair, Jack cannot believe his good luck. Delicious.
In Italy in the 1800s when artful singing was more prized than drama, our four singers now devolve into their true selves, Divas, singing in high bel canto style and in hysterical and florid detail of the Tragedy of Jack and Jill. Whew! Intermission.
Act II begins with a bit of Spaeth/Wagner. Playing outside the boy Jack imagines himself as the great Tristan atop the Great Hill. His playful telling and tumble is followed by the entrance of three maids from school (Sullivan), who are observed and observe back, Jack, waylay him and end up dressing him in a gown as a girl (Mozart again).
At the end of the 19th century attitudes have changed towards “Jacques et Jille.” The roots of the poem which were actually discovered to originate in France during the “Reign of Terror” first appeared in 1795. Sigmund Spaeth’s French version sung in the style of Debussy, or could it be perhaps, Ravel, ends with the tragic death of Jack and Jill’s permanent disfigurement. Aided by her friend Henrietta (from Robert and Elizabeth by Ron Grainer) she beautifully sings of her sadness at no longer being able to see or share the beauty of the world as others still can.
The entire five century telling of this heroic, dramatic poem ends with a jazz version, followed by The Jack and Jill Blues.
The librettist, or “revisionist” who has taken such liberties writing new texts to music by, for some, hallowed operatic composers, asks the audience’s indulgence and hopes they enjoy an evening both familiar and fantastic, leaving reality at the door.
Jack and Jill and the various narrators are played alternately and simultaneously by music majors Marie Smith, Naomi Funderburk, Adrienne Funderburk and Sarah Kalna. The production is adapted and directed by Dr. Loryn Frey with Tanya Nugent as coach, pianist and actress.
Performances are January 26, 27 and 28th at 7:30 p.m., Presser Recital Hall, Weathersby Fine Arts Building. To help defray the construction cost of The Hill and costuming, General Admission is $3.00 for adults and children alike, and for the LC community, $1.00. Tickets can be purchased at the door.
Under the direction of Dr. Loryn Frey the Louisiana College Opera Workshop has over the years performed classics including Susannah, Gianni Schicchi, Dido and Aeneas, Cosi fan Tutte, The Marriage of Figaro, The Mikado, The Bartered Bride, Robert and Elizabeth, The Telephone, Hansel and Gretel and Amahl and the Night Visitors among others. Should anyone attending wish to make a welcome donation designated for Opera Workshop at Louisiana College following the performance, please contact Dr. Loryn Frey, the director.
Voices of LC
The “Voices of LC” is an 11 member ensemble that serves as a Public Relations group for Louisiana College as well as a worship team for Chapel Services and other events at the college. Organized in the Fall of 2007, originally to sing one song for a banquet, the group has travelled extensively in Louisiana and such states as Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Mississippi and Florida. “Voices” is entering a joint venture with the Louisiana Baptist Convention to create a project that calls our state to spiritual revival. They will record their first cd in December of 2011. In the Summer of 2008, the group was privileged to sing at the Southern Baptist Convention in Indianapolis.
The group is made up of a very diverse group of Majors including, Music, Education, Social Work, Business and History. Dr. Fred Guilbert is the director of the group. Dr. Guilbert is a graduate of LC and comes from a 40 year ministry in Church Music. Mary Evelyn Dirks is the Assistant Director and is also an admission Counselor for Louisiana College.
Present members are Kirk Talley, Andy Jordan, Camille Perkins, Franki Tackett, Kaylee Christian, Emily Free, Kellie Fuselier, Mary Evelyn Dirks, Adam Vige’ and Matthew Powell. Kyle Johnson serves as the Sound Engineer for the group.
To inquire about scheduling this enesemble to perform for an event, please contact Dr. Fred Guilbert at (318)487-7336 or email fguilbert@lacollege.edu.
Louisiana College Chorale
Sponsored by the Department of Music, the Louisiana College Chorale is a select group of singers, representing all divisions of the College, who perform for college events, Louisiana Baptist Convention events and for church and civic events both locally and throughout the state. Members are chosen by competitive auditions from the entire student body and represent several academic disciplines.
Dr. Fred Guilbert, Dean of the Division of Fine Arts and Media, serves as the Chorale conductor, and Mei-En Chou, Artist in Residence serves as the accompanist.
Chorale has collaborated with other choral ensembles and regional orchestras on numerous occasions for the presentation of major choral works. The group also takes one international tour every two to three years. Most recently, their overseas tour took the group to Taiwan in the Spring of 2010, Germany in the Spring of 2008, and plans are being formulated to take the group to Korea in the Spring of 2011.
Chorale’s repertoire consists of a broad range of outstanding choral literature ranging from Classical to Gospel. Chorale considers itself to be a strong ambassador for our beloved Louisiana College and an even stronger ambassador for the cause of Christ. Though academically minded, our main purpose is to Glorify God through our music, regardless of style or genre.
Many of the Chorale alumni are serving in positions of leadership in churches, schools, and colleges around the country and overseas.
To inquire about scheduling this enesemble to perform for an event, please contact Dr. Fred Guilbert at (318)487-7336 or email fguilbert@lacollege.edu.
