AH
Amanda Hollis
  • Abilene, TX

Amanda Hollis Set to Perform in Hardin-Simmons University Opera

2013 Mar 27

Amanda Hollis of Abilene, Texas, is set to play the role of Despina in Cosi fan tutte, an opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The opera will be performed four times by Hardin-Simmons University students April 11 – 14, 2013, in Van Ellis Theatre at 7:30 p.m. The last performance, Sunday, will be at 2 p.m.

The light-hearted comedic opera, rather than being sung in Italian, will be sung in English.

Assistant professor of voice and director of opera, Dr. Chris Hollingsworth, says, "Our student performers absolutely love how the many zany characters play out in this fun and twisted comedy! Audiences are in store for some very fun and outrageous costumes, but the moustaches will win them over. What woman can resist a stylish moustache," asks Hollingsworth with a wink.

"Audience will have a lot of fun as they watch two young men try to win women's hearts with some of the worst pick-up attempts ever tried. The fantastic and ridiculous nature of the two men disguised in Turkish attire and dawning Italian flair; quite absurd and yet full of fun," says Hollingsworth. "People will also appreciate the animated characters that the maid Despina portrays as a bet unfolds."

The first performance of Mozart's opera took place at the Burgtheater, known by many as the German National Theatre, in Vienna on January 26, 1790. It was given only five times before the run was stopped by the death of Emperor Joseph II.

While the subject matter did not offend Viennese sensibilities of the time, throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries the opera was considered risqué and was presented in a style known as "to bowdlerize," a common way to present Shakespearean plays as well, in a less offensive way. Hollingsworth says with a grin, "Audiences at HSU can expect a very clean, family fun production, with some mischief mixed in."

The stage will be dressed as an 18th century period European living room. A garden on stage left features a fountain and flowers with benches.

As for the HSU students performing in the opera, Hollingsworth says, "This production gives students the opportunity to develop a role musically and artistically from the ground up.

"Performing in the main-stage opera with the HSU Orchestra gives them the opportunity to take the fundamental skills that they have learned in Opera Workshop such as stage craft, character development, stage direction, and role preparation and realize it in a finished performance product."

"We look forward to a fun and light-hearted show," says Hollingsworth. "Our hope is that everyone will leave having laughed a lot, enjoyed the masterful music of Mozart, and arrive home glad that they attended!"

Thursday, April 11, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, April 12, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 13, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 14, 2 p.m.

General admission is $8; military, seniors, and students are $5; and HSU faculty, staff, and students are $3. Purchase tickets online at WWW.HSUTX.EDU/TICKETS or at the door.

About Hardin-Simmons:

HSU has an enrollment of approximately 2,300 undergrad and graduate students from 29 states and 19 countries. HSU has a 13:1 student faculty ratio with a campus that sits on 220 acres. Eighty percent of HSU's faculty members hold the highest degree in their field.

The university is named by U.S. News and World Report as one of the best universities in the western region of the United States and is listed by The Princeton Review as a Top Ten Best in the West University. It is a member of the Colleges of Distinction, the Chronicle of Higher Education named HSU to its honor roll of Great Colleges to Work For, and G.I. Jobs listed HSU as a Military Friendly School.

Seven undergraduate degrees encompass 70 major fields including: athletic training, criminal justice, social work, counseling, psychology, molecular biology, biochemistry, environmental science, religion, music, art, teaching, history, communications, English, and sociology.

Ten graduate degrees, encompassing 26 programs, include the Doctor of Ministry, Doctor of Education in Leadership, and the Doctor of Physical Therapy.

International study programs include England, Austria, Hong Kong, Spain, and Australia.

Hardin-Simmons University, founded in 1891, is a private Christian liberal arts university, and has been affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas (Texas Baptists) since 1941.