2008 Woodie Awards
Opera showcases Mozart pieces
Kate Shea
Issue date: 11/20/07 Section: WEB EXTRAS
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"The Impresario" is a short, one-act opera composed by Mozart. However, in spite of being named an opera, it isn't a true one since there were only four vocal musical pieces in the performance with lines in between, where as a full opera would be singing only with no speaking parts at all.
The performance was short, approximately 45 minutes long, and much of the time the actors had the audience members laughing. Most of the spectators were UW-Whitewater students and predominantly music majors.
Music major Juli O'Donnell explained that it was required for music majors to attend musical events.
"And we love Mozart," she said.
The Opera Workshop is considered to be a choral ensemble under the music department. Its purpose is to integrate singing actors with the basic techniques in opera. The Opera Workshop presents multiple costumed one-act operas in an effort to educate its members. It is intended for an advanced singer, but is open to all university students through auditions.
UW-Whitewater's "Impresario" starred Janalyn Bump as Miss Silverpeal, Duncan Doherty as Mr. Bluff, Brian Plehn as Mr. Scruples, Sarah Rehborg as Madame Goldentrill and Michael Roemer as Mr. Angel. Sharon Goodrum was the pianist, and Brian Leeper was the artistic director.
"Impresario" begins with the opera manager, Mr. Scruples, and his assistant, Mr. Bluff. Mr. Bluff introduces a rich banker, Mr. Angel, to Mr. Scruples, and manipulates his boss into listening to the older banker.
Mr. Angel explains that he would like Mr. Scruples to hire Madame Goldentrill, a faded prima donna of opera with whom Mr. Angel has an amorous relationship with. Madame Goldentrill performs a beautiful vocal piece and demands a costly contract. Mr. Scruples is flabbergasted, but Mr. Bluff smoothes the matter over and Mr. Angel makes a generous donation to cover Madame Goldentrill's expenses.
Madame Goldentrill then leaves, and Mr. Angel explains that he has a second proposition to make. He asks Mr. Scruples to hire a second singer, the young Miss Silverpeal, whom Mr. Angel also has amorous relations with. Miss Silverpeal arrives and sings an equally beautiful piece. When Mr. Scruples agrees to hire her, she demands a contract higher then that of Madame Goldentrill. Madame Goldentrill comes back into the office to see what is holding up Mr. Angel. The two women fight and demand higher and higher contracts until Mr. Scruples announces he is retiring, and he hands the company over to Mr. Bluff.
Mr. Bluff hires himself as the main male singer, and then names Mr. Angel the new head of the company, the impresario. The four finish the opera with a vocal piece proclaiming that an artist must strive for excellence; however, self-ambition will destroy the finest.
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