BEMIDJI — German composer Richard Wagner called opera an all-embracing art form. It is a physically and mentally demanding form of performance.
The Bemidji State University Opera Theater has risen to the challenge: they will be performing one of the most famous operas this weekend, Oct. 18-19. It's Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro.
The Marriage of Figaro is the second opera in the Figaro Trilogy. The show is a sequel to The Barber of Seville and follows two characters, Figaro and Susanna, through their trials and tribulations in marriage. They foil Count Almaviva’s efforts to seduce Susanna and to teach him a valuable lesson about fidelity.
“It's funny, but it's also kind of kind of edgy," said BSU Opera Theater Director Cory Renbarger in an Area Voices interview. " ... And the jokes abound, and the awkward situations abound.”
While this show was originally written in Italian, this production’s performance will be in English. “All of the miniscule little jokes and the moments you will understand ... so that the people here can get the most effect and the biggest enjoyment out of the story.”
Renbarger chose this show around a year ago, and began casting last spring so people would have time over the summer to prepare. Then, they had a month of intense musical work, meeting three times a week for practices that would last a few hours. Three weeks ago, they began staging the show.
Usually, professional opera singers can take months to a year to get their roles down. It takes time not only to train the body to produce a specific sound, but to etch it in the performer’s brain and heart as well. It should be kept in mind that students are learning their roles while also attending school.
“So, these students are busy," Renbarger said. "They're singing all sorts of other engagements, classes and choirs. ... They’re working this into their bodies constantly, and they're learning that professional skill of how we multitask and physically stay on track."
Renbarger compares it to going to the gym: If you get into a routine of lifting weights, you may physically be able to lift weights four to five times a week without being completely exhausted. The same must be done in vocal training.
“We utilize the training of a classical musician so that somebody can step out and do whatever genre they want to, but they understand the limitations of their body when pushed to the extremes,” Renbarger said.
The performers will not have microphones, and their voices won’t be changed in any way during the performances. They’re learning how powerful their bodies can be, thanks to classes they took at BSU, Renbarger said.
When asked about his least and most favorite parts of the process, Renbarger had some insightful answers. For him, the worst part is when the show is done.
“This beautiful thing that you and a whole team of people birthed into existence is now gone. That's terrible. That's a terrible feeling.”
However, his favorite part is standing in the wings during the performance smelling the dust, basking in the warmth of the lights and feeling the calmness in the audience. He said he loves being able to see his students have their moments on stage. Sometimes, they succeed or fail, and that’s a whole new set of nerves for him, but that’s a part of what makes it special.
“When they succeed at something, it's like you had 50 victories yourself. To watch your students go out there and have a beautiful moment, that’s probably my favorite part.”
Tickets for The Marriage of Figaro are available on the BSU website. They are also available at Bangsberg Hall Room 102, and if there are still tickets available, they can be purchased at the show.
Renbarger wanted to reiterate that this is a huge process putting on a show like this. To produce something of this quality with students working their hearts out, it can take time. These performances don’t happen very often.
“This is the best of what we have to offer, and it's just going to be a great moment, and it won't come back in a month. It'll be a while before we can do the next one. So, take advantage of it. Enjoy it. Soak it up.”
Tell us about upcoming arts events where you live in Northern Minnesota by emailing psa@kaxe.org.
Area Voices is made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.