Ariana Gallardo
The UTRGV Opera workshop program provides students with intensive training in vocal technique, acting and stage presence, preparing them for successful careers in the world of opera, according to a professor.
Director of the Opera Workshop and Professor of Music David Sadlier says the workshop allows students to not use the background visuals to elevate their performance but rather use their voice to tell the story.
“The performances the way I think are about our workshop are about, very sparse, minimalistic use of sets, costumes, props,” Sadlier said.
He said people should not be afraid of opera since it is a powerful form of art that can evoke deep emotions and connect with audiences.
“I think it’s easy to, want to avoid opera because it’s foreign to you,” Sadlier said. “It’s not, it’s sort a comfort zone. It’s something that we all have. Is preconceived notion of what it is. But the fact is that everything that happens in opera is theme wise, story wise, are exactly the things you go to see in movies and in books you read.”
Co-Director and Professor of Music Rebecca Coberly said she finds that her favorite part about the performance process of the workshop is students coming out of their shells.
“Also feeling confident about the performance,” Coberly said. “Having had the experience of really developing a character, interacting with different characters, developing relationships between those characters, we want students on the one hand, to feel really good about the performance and on the other hand, to come away with some new skills that they didn’t have before.”
She said she hopes the program grows and matures and continues to provide a platform for students to express themselves through opera. As well as expand the range of performing in different opera sets whether it’s small or large performances.
“A program where students can expect, over the course of their education to have experience doing the smaller scenes programs, doing mainstage productions, and really, developing a knowledge of lots of different genres of the of music for the stage, which can cover a lot of territory,” Coberly said.
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This is Ariana Gallardo For Vaquero Radio
