DePauw's spring opera, "Little Women," will conclude the 2015-16 festival "Little Women: Art and Transformation" tonight, tomorrow and Sunday.
Director Joachim Schamberger and conductor Orcenith Smith brought Mark Adamo’s Opera to life with the help of a group of very talented DePauw students. Based on the well-known coming-of-age Civil War novel by Louis May Alcott, Adamo’s contemporary opera conveys the heart of the beloved story though emotional arias that develop the characters and time lapses that brilliantly transform Alcott’s work to the stage.
This weekend’s performances have been a long time coming, with the “Little Women” festival having been in full throttle since September and the primary auditions having been held last May. DePauw students have also had the privilege of gaining the input of Adamo himself since early on in rehearsals as part of the Living Composers Festival.
“It was really cool to have Mark at a few of our rehearsals to work with the principles and understudies,” cast member Ann Chase said. “Hearing his insight made the experience that much more special for all of us.”
Along with the visits from Adamo, DePauw also presented the film “Little Women” at Ashley Square, conducted book readings and presented guest speakers as part of the Interdisciplinary Festival. Members of the show also displayed historical exhibits in various locations in Greencastle, including the Putnam County Museum and the Putnam County Library.
The goal of these festivals is to allow DePauw students, faculty and staff to connect and interact with a central topic through a wide variety of subjects. This particular festival has focused on the major themes and historical elements in “Little Women,” both on stage and in literature. In celebration of the end of the festival, Adamo will return this Saturday and Sunday to watch the performances.
Cast member Julia Mascotte hopes that DePauw students will keep an open mind about the show.
“The words will be projected above the stage so the audience can follow along easily and fully appreciate both the story and the music,” she said.
“Classical music is a lot more accessible than you think,” said vocal performance major Abigail Martin. Like Mascotte, she hopes that students will appreciate the hard work that the members of the cast have put in over the last few months by coming and supporting the Opera.
In addition to yesterday’s 7:30 p.m. performance, the opera will take place tonight and tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. in Moore Theatre. Admission is free to students and $7 to the general public.