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蜜桃传媒 presents Aaron Copland鈥檚 great 20th century American opera 鈥淭he Tender Land鈥� January 28 and 30 at 7 p.m. at Center Stage Theatre in Paseo Nuevo. Purchase tickets, which cost $15 for general admission, $10 for seniors or military, at the Center Stage box office at centerstagetheater.org. Please visit the to view the latest COVID-19 requirements.
鈥淭his personal, poignant coming-of-age story still resonates today,鈥� says Michael Shasberger, Adams professor of music and worship, who directs the music. 鈥淭he themes include redemption, community and faith as Midwestern farmers strive to honor their family and accept changes in the midst of challenging times.鈥�
Copland was inspired to write 鈥淭he Tender Land鈥� after viewing Depression-era photographs of Walker Evans and reading James Agee鈥檚 鈥淟et Us Now Praise Famous Men.鈥� Horace Everett wrote the libretto for the opera.
The entire 蜜桃传媒 Choir will perform in the production, best known for 鈥淭he Promise of Living.鈥�
蜜桃传媒 alumna Christina Farris Jensen 鈥�09 serves as stage director after her successful collaboration with the music department last year on the video presentation of 鈥淭he Elixir of Love.鈥� 鈥淲e鈥檙e delighted to work with Christina again and benefit from her connection to the college and her passion for opera,鈥� Shasberger says.
The cast includes junior tenor Sibongakonkhe Msibi, an international student from Swaziland, who earned a fellowship to the Music Academy of the West鈥檚 75th anniversary Summer School and Festival in 2022. Other cast members include Joy Sturges (Laurie Moss), Emma Daniel (Ma Moss), Abbie Carter (Beth Moss, Sean Ryan (Top), Nathan Carlin (Grandpa Moss), Isaac Siebelink (Mr. Splinters) and Brianna Campbell (Mrs. Splinters).