Opera Workshop Challenges Audience With 'Dialogue of the Carmelites'

ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA - Winthrop University's Opera Workshop Ensemble will challenge you to think about the emotional and psychological battles of self-sacrifice with its rendition of Francis Poulenc's "Dialogues of the Carmelites."

"Dialogues of the Carmelites," directed by Assistant Professor Jeffrey McEvoy, opens Feb. 26 in Tillman Auditorium. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26-27 and 3 p.m. on Feb. 28.

Set during the last days of the Reign of Terror during the French revolution, the heroic production tells the story of the Martyrs of Compigne, a group of Carmelite nuns who refused to renounce their vocation. The nuns were guillotined in Paris for their "crime," but their story lives on today.

"Dialogues of the Carmelites" first opened in La Scala in 1957 and has earned much praise for its lush, harmonic language combining music, song and prayer.

Music majors Hannah Jessup, Alexis Croy, Emmalee Wood, Brittany Burgess and Hannah Timms will portray the nuns, led by Associate Professor of Music Kristen Wunderlich. More student talent will be heard in the chorister roles.

McEvoy said this production offers many educational experiences for the students.

"Many roles are available that give a number of students leading parts, the storyline contains high dramatic content based on historical events and Poulenc's score is musically challenging," he said. "As is typical of current theater productions, the story lends itself to minimal production costs and is sung in English rather than the original French. This gave our singers the opportunity to explore the emotional and psychological battles of self-sacrifice more personally through their own language."

Tickets are $5 for students, $10 for faculty/staff and seniors, and $15 for the general public. It is a cultural event.

For more information, contact McEvoy via e-mail.