SIUE Theater and music students tackle Mozart in this year’s spring play

A blend of experienced musicians, thespians and talented undergraduate actors provided a unique opportunity for SIUE professor Marc Schapman.

(From left) Samantha Koester, Emily Moore, Amanda Furrow, and Tyler Ciesler (bottom) perform a pivotal scene in “the Magic Flute.” (Photo by Joseph Lacdan)

Senior Tyler Green, who plays Papageno in “The Magic Flute,” performs during rehearsals. (Photo by Joseph Lacdan)

Professor Marc Schapman leads the student orchestra during rehearsals. (Photo by Joseph Lacdan)

Schapman said the versatile ensemble made it possible to tackle a massive theatrical production in The Magic Flute, as this year’s spring opera March 17-18 at the Dunham Hall Theater. The play was produced by SIUE Opera Theatre.

“The Magic Flute,” and the prospect of playing the music of Mozart challenged Schapman’s performers on multiple levels, in musical skill and being able to sing and act in a foreign language.

Graduate student Grace Fisher, who played Pamina and senior Tyler Green (Papageno) took leadership roles and helped guide undergraduate musicians into the challenge of undertaking one of the world’s most popular operas. The Music Department performed two shows of The Magic Flute on March 17-18 in Dunham Hall Theater. The cast and crew were comprised of 21 students enrolled in Music 460 Opera Workshop.

“We have a couple older students who have lots of experience and are very savvy on stage,” Schapman said.  “And … we have a large group of young singers as well. So this was a really great year for our older, more experienced students to come and lead and inspire and show by example these younger singers how to really get this done. Which is exciting because while it will be sad to see some of our more advanced students leave, it makes me more excited about the next couple years.”

The cast and crew had less than two months to prepare for the show, and Schapman said rehearsals took up to four hours per day. Schapman, also had to take the role of director and serve as conductor for the orchestra.  He spent time with both groups in order to get their performances in sync. He worked with the musicians to help get their tempo and to imprint his vision as director for the music. But he also said that he relied on each musicians own technical expertise to ensure conformity.

“That’s a tricky thing for the people who play the orchestra because they have to watch me and I’m trying to do my best to be together with the singers on the stage,” Schapman said. “How fast or slow the songs go. They really have to keep their ears and eyes in touch with me and with the stage. It became kind of a tricky collaboration.”

Schapman said the musical pieces featured in The Magic Flute leave little room for error. The actors had to remain wary of the English translation of the lyrics to give them context for each scene. The vocal performers also must work diligently on their craft when performing Mozart.

“Music texturally in Mozart is not big, thick and dense,” Schapman said. “There’s a lot of times in the orchestra where it’s really sparse and thin, so if somebody makes a mistake, it really sticks out. As a musician and as a singer for Mozart you’re completely exposed. It almost feels like you’re walking a tight rope the whole time you’re playing or singing.”

Students also had a limited amount of time to prepare for their roles, beginning rehearsals in January. Many of the students in the course will have a break for the remainder of the semester while others will prepare for another smaller production this spring.

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