The LSU Opera program is back to bring audiences “Lagniappe.”
L’Opera Lagniappe consists of several scenes from famous operas to give LSU Opera students who did not receive a big part in last March’s production of “La Traviata” some time in the spotlight. It will be performed in the LSU School of Music’s Recital Hall on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Works to be performed include scenes from Mozart, Johann Strauss and Benjamin Britten.
Michael Bellinger, Assistant to the Dean for Operations at LSU’s School of Music, said L’Opera Lagniappe gives opportunities for more students to perform.
“L’Opera Lagniappe, instead of being a full-length opera with a limited cast, will take portions of several operas and perform them so more students can participate,” Bellinger said.
Dawn Arevalo, LSU Opera Production Manager, said she is excited her undergraduate students will get to perform in the limelight.
“There’s not always something for them to do in our main stage opera, which was ‘[La] Traviata’ this semester,” Arevalo said. “So the scenes program helps give them an opportunity to perform.”
Arevalo said L’Opera Lagniappe is a less formal affair than the main production, so it allows performers to do roles they otherwise wouldn’t do. “It also gives some performers a chance to do a role they have dreamed of doing, but haven’t gotten the chance,” Arevalo said. Opera performer Michael Dunavant, vocal performance sophomore, said the different scenes from different operas will give the audience a show with more variety. “L’Opera Lagniappe will be exciting because it provides a wide variety of repertoire from the classical to the modern,” Dunavant said. L’Opera Lagniappe also gives the LSU Opera a chance to perform famous scenes in unconventional ways. “L’Opera Lagniappe isn’t so traditional,” Arevalo said. “Normally, it’s somewhat updated. There are scenes that are done in the dark with flashlights, so there’s always something new out there.” Admission for the event is free.
—-Contact James Hunter at [email protected]