AV俱乐部

Whoever said opera is a yawn has got it all wrong.

Students of the AV俱乐部 music department will be performing two operas this week, Henry 惭辞濒濒颈肠辞苍别鈥檚 The Face on the Barroom Floor and Giacomo 笔耻肠肠颈苍颈鈥檚聽 Gianni Schicchi, both extremely captivating.

笔耻肠肠颈苍颈鈥檚 Gianni Schicchi, a classic comedic opera鈥攚ait, comedic opera? That鈥檚 right, Gianna Schicchi is a show that will have you laughing. It's about a greedy family conspiring to change the family will. Schicchi, being a crafty peasant, agrees to help, but not without teaching the family a valuable lesson. He鈥檚 also in charge of helping a young couple pursue their romance even though their love isn't sanctioned by the family.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really fun, and it鈥檚 in English so you can understand what鈥檚 going and get a taste of what opera singing is all about, because you don鈥檛 really get that opportunity very often,鈥� says Natacha Fam, fourth-year vocal student who plays Schicchi鈥檚 daughter, Lauretta.

惭辞濒濒颈肠辞苍别鈥檚 The Face on the Barroom Floor takes a more serious note as a tragedy which involves a couple visiting a bar in Central City, Colorado where the bartender ends up telling them a story that took place in the same bar 100 years ago. Interestingly enough, what happened 100 years ago ends up happening again by the end of the show.

First-year vocal student Iain MacNeil describes it as a very intense 25 minutes of power.

鈥淭here are two fight scenes, two deaths; the plot occurs twice in聽three scenes, and there鈥檚 no stopping,鈥� says Mr. MacNeil.

If you go WHAT: Henry 惭辞濒濒颈肠辞苍别鈥檚 The Face on the Barroom Floor and Giacomo 笔耻肠肠颈苍颈鈥檚聽 Gianni Schicchi WHERE: Sir James Dunn Theatre, AV俱乐部 Arts Centre WHEN: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Feb. 4-6, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 7, 2:30 p.m. HOW MUCH: $12 for students and seniors, $17.50 for adults. Call 494-3820.

Auditions for both operas took place during the first week of school and were open to the entire music department. This year, however, the lead roles were not assumed by the upper year students.

鈥淚t used to be mainly fourth years got most the roles, now we do it so that everyone auditions, and if they are appropriate for a role, whether they are in first year or fourth, and if they appear to be vocally ready, then they鈥檙e cast,鈥� says Marcia Swanston, producer and voice coach of both shows.

Take first-year student, Iain MacNeil who landed a one of the three roles in The Face on the Barroom Floor.聽He's not聽only a first year in the music department, it鈥檚 also his first time singing opera.

鈥淚鈥檓 certainly grateful to be in it, being in first year, that鈥檚 huge for me,鈥� he says.

With a background in musical theatre, a bit of classical music, and in a country band back home in Brockville, Ontario, MacNeil admits opera is a huge challenge.

鈥淣ot only is there more singing, there鈥檚 no microphone like there is in musical theatre,鈥� explains Mr. MacNeil. 鈥淵ou have to sing with all of your guts to get that sound that鈥檚 going to fill the auditorium.鈥�

From a sneak peek of his rehearsal, it鈥檚 fair to say he鈥檚 developed this capacity quite well. The power of all the performers鈥� voices is literally breathtaking.

Also impressive is set, which is built in association with the students in the Department of Theatre who are stage managers and set designers.

It鈥檚 down to the wire and instead of nerves, it appears that these students have nothing but positive energy鈥斺�渢he funnest part is when it comes close to the show and you feel all the energy and the adrenaline with everyone the stage, everyone鈥檚 energy is so high,鈥� says Natacha Fam.

Opening night is Thursday, Feb. 4, 7:30 p.m. in the Sir James Dunn Theatre. The operas are expected to draw a fairly full crowd of both students and members of Halifax community.

鈥淔or the past two or three years, the opera has been very successful,鈥� says Ms. Swanston. And this year provides an extra opportunity to catch the show with the recent add-on of a Sunday matinee.

Tickets at $12 for students and seniors and $17.50 for adults are available at the AV俱乐部 Arts Centre.