Arias Abound

JMU Opera raises curtain

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Forget "General Hospital." No one cares about "Days of Our Lives." The only worthwhile "operas" are coming to JMU this weekend. Many of JMU’s singers and performers have collaborated to bring opera to Harrisonburg.

"[The operas are] sung in English, nobody dies, and there aren’t any fat ladies with horns on their heads," said sophomore Tripper Ryder, a performer in both operas.

The first of the operas, "Yonder Mountain," is set in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia. The story tells of a beautiful young girl, Ada, who is forced to live in a tree house by her father, a preacher. Hoping to protect his daughter from ill-favored suitors, the father imprisons Ada in a tree house until she’s ready to marry. The opera continues as Flora, a half-human, half-hawk, attempts to lure Ada from her tree house. Ada remains there until her father convinces a soldier, Gabriel, to propose. However, Yonder Mountain concludes with a very surprising, soap opera-esque turn. Composer John Krumich, a Virginian, devised the tale from songs by celebrated folk song composer John Jacob Niles.

The second opera showing this weekend, "Trial by Jury," runs in a similar soap opera-like vein. Think Judge Judy goes on "Jerry Springer" with the cast of "Melrose Place." Set in a courtroom, Angelina sues her fiancé Edwin for refusing to marry her. Junior Justin Leighty, who plays the part of Angelina’s counsel, calls the opera "a unique experience and very funny."

Leighty is enjoying performing in his first Gilbert and Sullivan production. Sir William Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan were 19th-century collaborators on a number of comical operas, which featured Sullivan composing the music and Gilbert acting as his librettist.

"Yonder Mountain" and "Trial by Jury" make an interesting double bill, Ryder said. "The contrasting styles of Appalachian fairy tale and British slapstick give the audience a fun two hours of light opera," he said.

The back-to-back performances of "Yonder Mountain" and "Trial by Jury" are tonight and Friday at 8 p.m. "Yonder Mountain" also is being performed at 3 p.m. Saturday. The Sunday matinee performance at 3 p.m. will be "Trial by Jury." 

All performances will be held at Wilson Hall Auditorium, where tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling x8-7000. Admission is $8 for the general public and $6 for students..