Nazareth's Opera Workshop " The Medium" a haunting and spiritual journey
Nazareth College Department of Music’s Opera Workshop is presenting a full production of Gian Carlo Menotti’s The Medium, a haunting and spiritual journey of Menotti’s own encounter with a medium during dark and untrustworthy times. The performances will be held on Friday, January 25 and Saturday, January 26 at 7:30 p.m. in Callahan Theater, located in Nazareth College Arts Center at 4245 East Avenue, Rochester, 14618. Tickets are free, no advance reservations required. For an added bit of fun, attendees can enter to win a free tarot card reading with Readings by Nico (enter to win will take place at event).
The Medium is directed by guest artist Emily Cuk, who holds a degree in opera performance from Bard College and a master’s from the Eastman School of Music. The creative team also includes Dr. Kevin Nitsch, music direction (lecturer in music at Nazareth College); Rachel Hall, assistant director/graduate assistant (Nazareth College); and Dr. Katie Hannigan, opera workshop leadership/support (coordinator of vocal studies at Nazareth College).
“They’re learning how to problem solve, how to think on their feet, and how to continue to grow as a performer,” said Dr. Hannigan. “It’s not about what they do, it’s about who they meet and the experience that it provides for them as people. It’s about the experience and about that personal, individualized relationships that people get to have. That helps a lot with continuing to grow as an individual towards what you want to do and your life’s work.”
To help the cast understand the weighty subject matter of the opera, the creative team connected with Corinne Dempsey, professor of religious studies and director of the global studies program, to lead a workshop on spirituality and mediums. Dempsey also teaches a course at Nazareth on mysticism and spirits and has written a book on the topic: Bridges between Worlds: Spirits and Spirit Work in Northern Iceland.
THE STORY
Split into two acts, Menotti’s The Medium is equally as dark and twisting as it is comedic. An underlying connection to World War II and the trauma it caused looms in the background of the story. A manipulative and alcoholic medium, Baba, works together with her daughter Monica and a gypsy mute boy named Toby to conduct séances for her clients, who believe they are talking to those they’ve lost. Overlapping themes of innocence/crime and truth/deception are prevalent in this story, which ultimately leads the characters down the path to destruction.
Sophomore Alexis Tuccio (music education) plays the role of Toby, who is speechless. “Toby’s character is silent, yet, has so many complex emotions he’s trying to express,” said Tuccio. “Doing this without the use of voice is an interesting challenge. It’s wonderful to explore my acting skills and see how I can develop the character without ever actually opening my mouth.”
ABOUT THE CAST
Nazareth College has a wide array of music majors involved in this production including music education, music therapy, general music, vocal performance, master's of music in performance and pedagogy, and many more. The production allows for double-casting, and covers: Rachel Hall and Hongyu Han (Baba), Jessica Tripi and Katelyn Santiago (Monica), Charlotte Stevens and Alexis Tuccio (Toby), Joel Touranjoe and Toby Young (Mr. Gobineau), Brandon Parks (Mr. Gobineau cover), Yingxi Liu and Emily Kielbasinski (Mrs. Gobineau), Haley Brunstad (Mrs. Gobineau cover), Tessa Hildreth and Mckenzie Rybka (Mrs. Nolan), and Morgan Beaton (Mrs. Nolan cover).
TICKETS/MORE INFO
Tickets are free for this event. No advanced reservations are required. Visit the event page or Facebook page for more information, or to enter a raffle for a chance to win a tarot card reading with Readings by Nico.
Nazareth University is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for nearly 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a Nazareth education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.
Our broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of larger universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture. Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, Nazareth University graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.
The Nazareth College Opera Workshop will present Menotti's "The Medium" on January 25-26. Here, student Hongyu Han plays the medium Baba (center) surrounded by student performers (l to r) Morgan Beaton, Brandon Parks, McKenzie Rybka, Emily Kielbasinski, Toby Young, and Haley Brunstad.