TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — Troy University’s Opera Workshop performed a collection of opera ballads for the community of Troy in Long Hall.
Opera ballads performed included: “No Song No Supper,” “The Beggar’s Opera,” and “Love in a Village.”
This semester marked the eighth semester since Opera Workshop first began at Troy.
The Opera Workshop class, directed by Dr. Sarah Wee, is filled with students of all majors and classifications who have a heart for music.
“We’re getting theatre majors and today we have English majors and psychology majors,” Wee said. “It’s not just music majors anymore which I think is the biggest thing with op shop is that anybody can come and anybody can enjoy it.”
Wee said Opera Workshop is a unique blend of choir and musical theatre, helping shine light on an area of musical art that is less recognized.
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“We call it the great grandparent of musical theatre,” Wee said. “It’s singing while you’re acting, dancing, walking and moving. Depending on the opera, there’s spoken dialogue.
“We had dialogue tonight, so it’s kind of a mix of everything all in one.”
Aspects of romance, comedy, and heartache were some of the themes displayed in the performance.
Cordelia Fox, a junior at Troy, said she appreciates the comedic aspect that opera workshop offers.
“I think this time in particular I was so happy to play such a character, like a funny role where I could just be pregnant the whole time,” Fox said. “There was a lot of fighting in between our characters, so, it’s just that that excitement to be angry and to be sad when he chooses Polly and not me.”
Tori Hinson, a junior at Troy, encouraged students to get involved in opera workshop in the spring.
“Because it’s fun and it’s stress-relieving,” Hinson said. “With the mix of other classes going on, it’s just something that gives my brain a break and just allows me to do what I love which is singing and performing.”
For students interested in taking Opera Workshop, the class will be offered again in the spring on Tuesdays/Thursdays from 2:00 p.m. – 3:15p.m.
Opera Workshop will also be putting on its full show in the spring semester. For all future updates, keep an eye on the group’s Instagram @troyuniversitymusic.
