Vocal students performed scenes from operettas, operas, and plays in the eighth annual Opera Workshop Oct. 25 and 26.

“Each night, we sang to a full house and were rewarded with a standing ovation,” said Emily Douglass, co-director of the opera workshop and voice coordinator, opera director, and artist-teacher of music. “This warm response is deeply meaningful to each of us as artists.”

This year’s theme, “Highlights in Harmony,” included melodies in the grand opera tradition, said Kristi Matson, instructor of voice and co-director of the opera workshop. 

“It featured works from composers such as Offenbach, Humperdinck, and Bizet, as well as some lighter fare from Gilbert and Sullivan’s operettas and Broadway favorites from Rodgers and Hammerstein,” Matson said.  

Matson said it was a lively audience of students, faculty, and community members both evenings. 

“I found the audience for both shows to be very receptive. It was obvious they were highly amused and engaged during each scene,” Matson said. “It was magical to watch the students come alive under the spell of the audience’s praise.” 

Douglass said each show was filled with expressive singing and compelling acting. 

“We are immensely proud of the dedication all of our singers and pianists exhibited during the rehearsals and performances,” Douglass said. “They explored a diverse range of repertoire, from musical theater to operetta and opera, performing in Italian, French, and German.” 

Mastering each of these genres requires dedication, including learning vocal and acting techniques — and often navigating foreign languages, Douglass said. 

“Each scene was chosen specifically to suit the voice type and talents of each singer, a skill Kristi Matson and I approach thoughtfully to ensure that every performer feels supported and successful in their work,” Douglass said.

Freshman Aidan Bauer performed Lucy Simon’s “Lily’s Eyes” from the musical “The Secret Garden.” Bauer said he felt that his performance was well prepared and well received.

“What the audience got out of the performance is God’s line of work,” Bauer said. “He is the reason art has any meaning.”

Bauer said he thought the workshop was successful and everyone who attended it enjoyed the performances.

“Among those were friends, relatives, and staff, who had many kind and praising things to say,” Bauer said.

Paul Lindauer ’24, a first year in Hillsdale’s Graduate School of Classical Education, performed in three performances at the workshop. Lindauer even filled in for Bauer who was sick for the final show on Saturday, Bauer said. 

“I got to have incredible variety, performing as a pompous windbag character from Gilbert and Sullivan, and then a few minutes later, as Captain von Trapp from ‘The Sound of Music,’” Lindauer said.

Lindauer also said he enjoyed seeing the newer performers improve with the opportunity to be main characters for their scenes.

“Opera workshop is a great opportunity for students to get performance experience without committing to an entire show,” Lindauer said. “Professors Douglass and Matson very thoughtfully assigned scenes and roles for student growth as well as entertainment.”