KEARNEY – A University of Nebraska at Kearney production is receiving recognition from the National Opera Association.
UNK’s performance of “Captain Lovelock,” a one-act opera by American composer John Duke, won an award in the association’s annual opera production competition. UNK took second place in Division I at the undergraduate level.
The contest, open to collegiate and conservatory programs, was divided into undergraduate and graduate levels, with four divisions in each level based on production size and budget. Video entries were judged on musicianship, quality of singing, diction, dramatic credibility and characterization, production concept, staging and execution and overall quality.
A total of 24 awards will be presented at the National Opera Association’s annual conference Jan. 8-11 in Cleveland, Ohio. Professor of music Anne Foradori, a presenter at the national conference, will accept UNK’s award.
The goal of the opera competition is to encourage and reward creative, high-quality productions at academic institutions and music conservatories. This is the first time UNK has entered the competition.
“Captain Lovelock” was presented in April as part of the Festival of American Song and Opera hosted by UNK’s Department of Music, Theatre and Dance.
Cast and crew members were:
Stage director – Janice Fronczak, UNK theater professor
Music director – Anne Foradori, UNK music professor
Pianist/coach – Jayoung Hong, UNK piano instructor
Terentia – Sharon O’Connell Campbell, UNK associate music professor
Pernille – Minori Yamauchi, UNK student from Japan
Kirsten – Terran Homburg, UNK student from Marian, Kansas
Leonora – Grace Lueders, UNK student from Blair
Laurentia – Bethany Tebbe, UNK student from David City
Production designer – Matthew Benes, UNK student from Lincoln
Costume designer/choreographer – Ronald Altman, UNK theater lecturer and costume coordinator
