Since the first week of school, several Ouachita students have been hard at work under the direction of David Stanley and John Briggs to bring the fall opera, “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” to life.
“Amahl and the Night Visitors” is a one-act opera by Gian Carlo Menotti. It tells the story of an impoverished, crippled boy named Amahl and the encounter he and his mother have with the Magi, who are on their way to bring gifts to the newborn Christ in Bethlehem.
This is the directorial debut for David Stanley, applied voice instructor and opera theatre director at Ouachita. Stanley is taking up the mantle from Drs. Jon and Glenda Secrest, who co-directed the opera program for 21 years.
“I’m incredibly excited to build on the tradition the Secrests built over the past years. It really is amazing what they’ve done,” said Stanley. “We want to keep it moving forward – perhaps exploring different works and styles, settings and audiences.”
Senior music major Natalie Williams is one of two actresses cast as Amahl, and has enjoyed the challenge that has come with playing the character. She will appear as Amahl on Nov. 19 and 21.
“I’m playing a little boy, which is challenging in itself. Beyond that I’m also crippled, so it’s been interesting,” said Williams. “You can scratch your nose, shrug your shoulders or do whatever. There are no inhibitions; being a little kid again, learning how to be a little boy, it’s just fun.”
This is Williams’ first and last opera at Ouachita, and she is taking in every moment of the experience.
“I’ve loved being in an opera and just learning how that works,” said Williams. “It’s been cool to see how it’s more natural for me to act through singing and to make music the most important thing of the show.”
Seth Russell, a senior vocal performance major from Crossett, Ark., plays King Melchior in “Amahl” and has been part of Ouachita’s opera program since his freshman year. He values the different experience that has come with this year’s production and its new leadership.
“This is the smallest production that I’ve done at Ouachita. It’s a one-act performance that lasts about an hour, which is short compared the two to two and a half hours that we’ve done in the past with works like ‘The Mikado,’ ‘Die Fledermaus’ and ‘Hansel and Gretel,’” said Russell. “This is Stanley’s debut; he’s doing a wonderful job, and Briggs is too. It’s nice working with new leadership, and I think it was a good thing that I was able to have a change in directors before I left Ouachita.”
Ouachita Baptist University’s division of music will present the opera on Nov. 19-21 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 22 at 2:30 p.m. in Jones Performing Arts Center. Tickets can be purchased for $12 each at the OBU box office on weekdays from 1-5 p.m., and online at www.obu.edu/boxoffice. Current Ouachita students are given one free ticket with the presentation of their student ID at the box office.
Stanley emphasizes that “Amahl and the Night Visitors” is the perfect introduction for anyone who has never experienced an opera performance.
“Many people may have a preconceived stereotypical notion of opera. ‘Amahl’ is a perfect opera for people who aren’t too sure about the art form. It’s the perfect marriage of music (both vocal and instrumental), drama, sets and costumes and dance – and it’s all done in less than an hour.” Stanley said.
“Likewise this production should be very special to the Ouachita community as we soon begin the Christmas season. As Christians, the opera’s message of selfless giving is something we need to be reminded of daily, but especially during this season. Begin your Christmas season early with us.” Stanley said.
For more information about the opera, contact David Stanley at stanleyd@obu.edu or John Briggs at briggsj@obu.edu. For more information about purchasing tickets or showtimes, contact the Ouachita box office at boxoffice@obu.edu.
