When
Sunday, April 25, 2010 - 4 p.m.
Where
Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall
Cost
$10 General admission $8 Seniors/Military/51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Faculty & Staff
51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ & CCSD students receive 1 free ticket with valid student ID
Details
The 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ University Concert Singers present their final performance of the 2009-2010 concert season with a production of Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana" on Sunday, April 25 at 4 p.m. in Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall located on the northeast end of the university campus. Through the use of visual projections, dance elements, lighting and costumes, more than 60 musicians will re-create Orff's dramatic work known to audiences today from hundreds of movies and television commercials as well as the piped-in music one hears at the city's McCarran International Airport.
"Carmina Burana" embraces Orff's concept of "total theatre" whereby music, words and dance are combined to create a tremendous spectacle of primitive rhythms, human fantasy and incredible physical energy. Contemporary audiences readily identify with the emotional, Latin, German and French poems written by anonymous, wandering students from the 12th and 13th centuries. An ever-present and terrifying "Wheel of Fortune" presides over a jubilant ode to spring, a bawdy tavern scene, and a sensuous court of love where each individual is called upon to weigh the advantages of chastity with the pleasures of the flesh. The final scene climaxes with a noble, exalted hymn to Venus, Goddess of Love.
Composed in 1937, the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ production uses Carl Orff's 1956 version for two pianos and percussion ensemble. Las Vegas audiences last saw this production twenty years ago at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ in a performance hailed by the Las Vegas Review-Journal for its "intensity and musicality from first note to last." The University Concert Singers conducted by David Weiller will be joined by members of the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Percussion Ensemble directed by Timothy Jones with pianists Crystal Cho and Jessica Kim. The university choirs enjoy a reputation for vibrant performances and were recently praised for a concert described as "...glorious, yet disciplined. The choruses performed with unaffected charisma."
Professional guest artists Michelle Latour, Roderick George and Douglas Carpenter complete the production roster. Michelle Latour, lyric coloratura soprano, is active as a singer and teacher. She has performed throughout Europe, including Italy, Greece, England, Austria, and Germany. Her repertoire encompasses operatic roles, oratorio and musical theatre. An avid recitalist, Michelle has presented numerous art song concerts throughout California, Nevada, New York and the Midwest. She is currently a member of the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ voice faculty.
Roderick George, tenor, enjoys a diverse career as a performer and educator. Recent highlights include his role debut as Sportin' Life in "Porgy and Bess" with Opera Theater of Pittsburgh. As a concert artist, he is heard regularly as a soloist in major concert and oratorio works. He has also recorded and toured regularly throughout the U.S. and Spain as a soloist with the acclaimed American Spiritual Ensemble. He is currently a voice professor at the University of Montevallo (Alabama).
Douglas Carpenter, baritone, is a versatile performer in opera and musical theatre throughout southern California. After a performance as Tony in "West Side Story" the StageSceneLA.com website stated, "Douglas Carpenter is as handsome a Tony as one could wish, and possessing a voice few of our most popular leading men can rival, this newcomer is poised for a lengthy and successful musical theater career." Mr. Carpenter originated the role of Skip in LIfe Could Be A Dream (LA Weekly and LADCC Winner), and performed in the final production of the Pasadena Playhouse as Lancelot in Camelot. He appears regularly with the Orange County Opera and the Palm Springs Opera Guild and currently stars in See What I Wanna See at the Blank Theatre in Hollywood. He is a cum laude graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and he recently completed his master's degree in vocal performance at UCLA.
Tickets for "Carmina Burana" may be purchased at the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Performing Arts Center box office or by calling 895-ARTS. General admission is $10; senior citizens, military and 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ faculty/staff tickets are $8. All students from the university and the Clark County School District receive 1 free ticket upon presentation of student identification.
