Asbury’s Dr. Marie-France Duclos Directs “The Old Maid and the Thief”
As part of the Opera Workshop class, students in the Asbury University Music Department will perform “The Old Maid and the Thief” on March 3-5 at 11:00 a.m. and March 6-7 at 7:30 p.m. in Asbury’s Jameson Recital Hall. Tickets can be purchased here.
This production is a caricature of small-town America in 1939. Menotti, the composer, calls it a 'grotesque opera' with four characters, including Miss Todd, a spinster who lives with her young and single maid, Leaticia. One day, while Miss Pinkerton, the town's gossip lady, is having tea at Miss Todd's, a man named Bob arrives and changes everything. The opera is quite funny and laughs at the ridiculousness of the dramatic situation.”
Offered every other fall, the Asbury Opera Workshop class (VOC 300) offers training with chamber operas, light operas or operettas, and/or with opera scenes. AU students get to learn roles, assist with aspects of technical execution, and/or perform the opera or assigned scenes.
“The Opera Workshop is a rewarding experience because it gives our young singers the opportunity to perform a major role with a small orchestra as an undergraduate,” Duclos said. “Performing opera roles is critical in a young singer’s development, and I find that it always helps students open up their voices and improve their vocal techniques.”
Juilliard-trained Asbury Instructor of Voice Dr. Sherri Phelps serves as assistant director of the opera.
“I enjoy working with the students and delving deeply into the characterization each one has to prepare,” Phelps said. “Working on an opera of this caliber challenges the students vocally and dramatically, and it’s been so rewarding to see how much they have grown and flourished during this process.”
One Asbury student in the Opera Workshop shared about her experience.
“Dr. Duclos’ assistance in helping me perform my best on stage, along with her continuous support, has been an absolute blessing,” saidGentry Osbourn ’27 (hometown: Stanford, Ky.), an Asbury Music major. “I have loved getting to work with my fellow performers who have worked so hard alongside me to make this an unforgettable experience.”
The Asbury University Music Department offers a Music major (with emphases in composition and arranging, instrumental performance, pre-music therapy, vocal performance, and church music leadership), a Music Education major (with emphases in general music education, instrumental music education, vocal/choral education, and combined instrumental/vocal education), and a Music minor.