Opera

Welcome to the UWG Opera page! Here you will find info on upcoming Opera Workshop events and opportunities, as well as how you can get involved! You do not have to be a music major to join in all this ensemble has to offer. Check it out below!

Upcoming

Opera Workshop presents Cendrillon

Dawn Neely, Director

It's a Cinderella story unlike anything you have seen before! Come see what you remember and what is new in our telling of this classic tale. This show will be filmed and offered as a streaming event. Please come back to this page for more updates!

Announcing the Inge Manki Lundeen Opera Scholarship!

UWG Opera alumna Dr. Nancy Irwin recently created a significant gift to endow the Inge Manki Lundeen Opera Scholarship. Dr. Irwin is UWG's 2020 Arts and Humanities Alumni Achievement award winner. We are so grateful to Dr. Irwin and congratulate her on this well-deserved award!

About Opera Workshop

Opera Workshop is a course where students can earn credit while exploring the world of opera! This ensemble provides opportunities for soloists, chorus members, improvisation, and student directing. Directed by Dr. Dawn Neely, Opera Workshop performs scenes as well and full operas. During the class time, students participate in improvisation as well as rehearse for upcoming stage productions and school shows. You do not have to be a music major to participate in this course!

Meeting Time

  • Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 3:30-5:00

Course Info

  • MUSC 2770 or 4770

How to sign up

  • Contact Dr. Dawn Neely for registration information.

Fall Scenes

Performance

The Fall Scenes program allows students to perform in solo and chorus roles within a variety of scenes from Mozart to Menotti! All students enrolled in the class are cast in one or more roles, and the rehearsals are during the regular class time. These scenes are performed in English, and are a great way for students who have never performed, or have never performed an opera scene, to get out of their comfort zones and get a taste of what opera is all about!

Past Fall Scenes include:

  • Barcarolle from The Tales of Hoffman (Offenbach)
  • Habañera from Carmen (Bizet)
  • Make Our Garden Grow from Candide (Bernstein)
  • Letter Duet, Act III from The Marriage of Figaro (Mozart)
  • "I Am So Proud" Trio from The Mikado (Gilbert & Sullivan)
  • ...and more!

Spring Showcase

Spring performance

Each spring, Opera Workshop heads to the main stage in the Townsend Center for Performing Arts and offers a night of opera! This show is cast by students enrolled in the Opera Workshop class, and Alumni are often invited back to be in the chorus. This spring,Opera Workshop presents Cendrillon, an operetta by: Pauline Viardot. This show will be performed in English as translated by Rachel M. Harris. The roles have been cast, but hose wishing to perform in the chorus, or who are interested in future productions should contact Dr. Dawn Neely, information provided below.

Past Spring Productions include:

  • Die Fledermaus: The Revenge of the Bat (Strauss)
  • A singer's Love (Haydn)
  • An Embarrassing Position (Shore)
  • Patience (Gilbert & Sullivan)
  • The Marriage of Figaro (Mozart)
  • ...and more!

Tours and Collaborations

Tours

Each semester, Opera Workshop partners with Chamber Singers to bring music to schools around Georgia. While most tours last one day, there are some semesters when the classes get to tour in further areas of the state and may go overnight. 

Collaborations

In Fall 2019, Opera Workshop collaborated with the Carrollton Center for the Arts in their production of Amahl and the Night Visitors. This show was offered in addition to the Falls Scenes Program and was cast by students and community members, with the set and costumes designed by local theater professionals.  

Child playing flute

Contact

Dr. Dawn Neely

John Elson Williams