Bemidji State’s Opera Theater Program Unites Musicians Across Campus | News

Every year, the Bemidji State University Department of Music works across disciplines to produce a full opera production for the Bemidji community. This academic year, two operas by Italian-American composer, playwright and director Gian-Carlo Menotti graced the main stage of the university’s Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex under the direction of Dr. Cory Renbarger, associate professor of music and director of opera theater.

“Opera theater is a chance to do opera at Bemidji State,” Renbarger said. “We have wonderful students, faculty, community members and artists from across the state that come together to put on an opera for Northern Minnesota.”

Producing an opera takes about a year, Renbarger said.

“It takes a considerable amount of time, talent and resources to put an opera together. Each individual, including singers, pianists, artists, conductors, orchestra members, technical crew, lighters, costumers and more, have to give their all to produce a good product,” he said. “Largely though, this experience is to educate our singers and give them a chance to do what they will be doing in their careers whether as performers or teachers.”

The first Bemidji State opera production in the 2021-2022 academic school year, “The Old Maid and the Thief,” was a one-act production that was performed as a radio hour with piano orchestration in November. The second production, “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” was a fully staged and set production in February.

While the COVID-19 pandemic presented numerous challenges for supporting live-audiences and in-person theater opportunities, it heightened the fervor of BSU students to get back on stage.

Emily Max, a vocal performance junior, said students in the music department were thrilled to return to the stage for two opera productions this year.

“The music department knows how much our community loves theater and we do too,” she said. “We wanted to be back on stage as soon as we safely could.”

Hailing from Virginia, Minn., Max was attracted to Bemidji State’s tight-knit music department.

“It’s smaller so you get to know everyone and you have a nice community of people to grow and learn with,” she said. “It’s a great experience and I would highly recommend it.”

Similarly, junior music major Noah Bostic, came to Bemidji State specifically to pursue a degree in music.

“The music department is a really awesome community,” he said. “Everyone is very passionate about what they do here and the music that we create. It’s a big family. There’s a lot of community values here and new students can jump right in. There is also so much support flowing from all around campus and Bemidji. It’s incredible.”

Aaraon Kolb, a senior music major from Rosemount, Minn., said Bemidji State is a strong competitor for prospective students looking to study music.

“No matter if you’re a vocalist or an instrumentalist, we have great professors at Bemidji State,” Kolb said. “Everything going on here is really coming up.”

Support for BSU’s Opera Theater program also comes from BSU alumnus Fred Rogers ’12 who formed costume concepts for both shows, the university’s Office of Communications and Marketing, Bemidji’s NLFX Professional and the Lyric Opera of the North.

About “The Old Maid and the Thief”

Menotti’s “The Old Maid and the Thief” follows the lives of two older women in the 1930’s who wish they were socialites. When a beggar vagabond appears at their door seeking refuge, the ladies become smitten and offer him food and shelter.

The plot thickens when there are reports of a local thief terrorizing the community and the characters are thrown into battles with morality.

The opera was initially written in Italian but was translated to English and premiered in April 1939 on NBC Radio in New York City.

Bemidji State’s Eric Gustafson, adjunct instructor of music, orchestrated the the shows piano performances with the help of fellow Adjunct Instructor Dan Will. Ryan Webber will be conducting the show. Read more about “The Old Maid and the Thief.”

”The Old Maid and the Thief,” Bemidji State University — Cast with conductor Ryan Webber, adjunct professor of music

Blake Staines, a senior liberal education and psychology major, narrating ”The Old Maid and the Thief” at Bemidji State University — Blake Staines as narrator

Traci Schanke, a senior music major, as Miss Pinkerton in ”The Old Maid and the Thief” at Bemidji State University — Traci Schanke as Miss Pinkerton

Adjunct Instructor Eric Gustafson playing piano for ”The Old Maid and the Thief” — Eric Gustafson, adjunct instructor of music

Bemidji State University cast for ”The Old Maid and the Thief” — ”The Old Maid and the Thief” dress rehearsal

Emily Bergeron, a junior music major, as Miss Todd in ”The Old Maid and the Thief” at Bemidji State University — Emily Bergeron as Miss Todd

Emily Max, a sophomore music education major, as Latisha in ”The Old Maid and the Thief” at Bemidji State University — Emily Max as Latisha

Levi Capesius, elementary music teacher at Walker Hackensack Akeley Elementary School as Bob in ”The Old Maid and the Thief” at Bemidji State University — Levi Capesius as Bob

Bria Halvorson, a senior music education major, as Miss Pinkerton in ”The Old Maid and the Thief” at Bemidji State University — Bria Halvorson as Miss Pinkerton

Cast and Company

Emily Bergeron, a junior music major from Bemidji; Miss Todd;
Levi Capesius, elementary music teacher at Walker Hackensack Akeley Elementary School; Bob;
Bria Halvorson, a senior music education major from Bagley, Minnesota; Miss Pinkerton;
Emily Max, a sophomore music education major from Virginia, Minnesota; Latisha;
Zachary Nichols, a sophomore computer information systems major from Grand Rapids, Minnesota; sound effects;
Kassidy Parks, a junior psychology major from Jordan, Minnsota; stage manager’;
Traci Schanke, a senior music major from Turtle River, Minnesota; Miss Pinkerton;
Blake Staines, a senior liberal education and psychology major from Bemidji; narrator;

About “Ahmal and the Night Visitors”

Menotti’s “Ahmal and the Night Visitors” opera follows the life of a young boy with a physical disability named Amahl and his mother as they are visited by the three wise men of the Christian Epiphany seeking shelter on their journey to see the infant Jesus.

During the night, Amahl’s mother is caught stealing some of the travelers’ gold, which leads to miracles of redemption, love and forgiveness.

Written for television and the NBC Opera Theatre, the show was debuted on NBC in 1951.

Bemidji State’s Scott Guidy, associate professor of music, director of bands and chair for the Department of Music, orchestrated the shows instrumental performance which also featured Eric Olson, assistant professor of music on the violin, Hillary Lowery, assistant professor of music on the clarinet, Eric Gustafson, adjunct instructor of music on the piano, Heather Guidry, adjunct instructor of music on the oboe, Magdalena Sas, adjunct instructor of music on the cello. Additionally, Dr. Dwight Jilek, associate professor of music and director of choral activities, helped as chorus master.

Cast of “Ahmal and the Night Visitors” on stage taking a bow — Cast of “Ahmal and the Night Visitors”

The Mother and Ahmal in “Ahmal and the Night Visitors” — L-R: Max and Sherwood

Ahmal, the three kings and the page in “Ahmal and the Night Visitors” — L-R: Olson, Kolb, Sherwood, Johann and Staines

The three kings and the page in “Ahmal and the Night Visitors” — L-R: Kolb, Johann, Olson and Staines.

“Ahmal and the Night Visitors” dancers — Dancers in “Ahmal and the Night Visitors”

King Kaspar holding a jewel in front of Ahmal, in "Ahmal and the Night Visitors" — L-R: Sherwood, Johann, Olson

The Three Kings peaking inside Ahmal's home in “Ahmal and the Night Visitors” — L-R: Staines, Kolb, Johann and Sherwood

Emily Max, a junior vocal performance major from Virginia, Minnesota, on stage. — Max as the Mother in “Amahl and the Night Visitors”

Cast and Company

Xander Ahnes, a freshman philosophy major from Bloomington, Minnesota; Chorus;
Zachary Anderson, a sophomore mass communications major from Bagley, Minnesota; Chorus;
Alex Bartley, a sophomore mass communications major from Waconia, Minnesota; Lighting and sound.
Ethan Bell, a sophomore computer information systems major from St. Michael, Minnesota; Chorus.
Emily Bergeron, a junior music major from Bemidji; Mother;
Jakob Bohnsack, a freshman wildlife biology major from Ramsey, Minnesota; Crew.
Noah Bostic, a junior music major from Rigby, Idaho; King Kaspar and chorus;
Emma Coleman, a sophomore music education major from Mora, Minnesota; Bassoon;
Franklon Couchey, a sophomore engineering technology major from Browerville, Minnesota; Chorus.
J Freude, a senior design major from Bemidji; Poster design.
Bria Halvorson, a senior music education major from Bagley, Minnesota; Chorus;
Adam Hendrick, a junior music major from Rush City, Minnesota; Horn;
Jakob Hyatt, a sophomore music education major from Pierz, Minnesota; Percussion;
Michael Johann, a sophomore music education major from Zimmerman, Minnesota; King Kaspar and chorus;
Crystal Kastl, a senior English major from Bemidji; Chorus;
Joe Kettelhodt, a sophomore wildlife biology major from Wahkon, Minnesota; Crew;
Halie Kniefel, a junior psychology major from Bemidji, chorus.
Aaron Kolb, a senior music major from Rosemount, Minnesota; King Melchior:
Adedayo Lawal, a freshman music major from Lagos, Nigeria; Trumpet;
Emily Max, a junior vocal performance major from Virginia, Minnesota; Mother;
Erin Muenter, a senior creative and professional writing major from East Troy, Wisconsin; chorus and make-up artist;
Zachary Nichols, a sophomore computer science major from Grand Rapids, Minnesota; State manager;
Noah Olson, a freshman music education major from Bovey, Minnesota; Page;
Kinsten Rought, a senior music education major from McGregor, Minnesota; Oboe;
Charlotte Saxton, a PSEO student from Bemidji; Chorus;
Blake Staines, a senior liberal education and psychology major from Bemidji; King Balthaza;
Traci Schanke, a senior music major from Turtle River, Minnesota; Chorus;
Christian Sutlief, a junior mathematics major from Browerville, Minnesota; Chorus.
Anna Wetrosky, a senior environmental studies major from Pine River, Minnesota; Chorus;
Gwendoline Youso, a junior music education major from Bemidji; Flute.

The character of Ahmal, a child, was portrayed by Giulia Calland of Duluth, Minn., and Charlie Sherwood of Bemidji. The pit orchestra was joined by community members Tim Pinkerton (violin), Pedro Oviedo (viola), Ken Vork (double bass), Frankie Wells (Percussion) and Callie Stadem (harp).

Contact

Cory Renbarger, associate professor of music and director of opera theater

Links

2022-B-074