Last week Arielle Rubin and Alyssa Napier, the publicity and marketing associates for IC Theatre, sat down and talked with the covers for "Semele," the opera currently in rehearsal on the Hoerner stage. They discussed the roles of the covers and the original vision that drives this production.
Arielle Rubin: What do you do as covers?
Rachel Silverstein (Athamas Cover): We learn the parts by watching the leads get coaching and directions from R.B. [Schlather, Director] and Geoff [McDonald, conductor]. We learn our parts on the side.
Bergen Price (Ino Cover): We have to attend every rehearsal that the leads are called for and we sit with our books, take notes and follow along with the music and absorb as much as we can. And then we finally get our own rehearsal toward the end of the rehearsal process.
AR: You have a lot of time to observe the show. What do you think is really special about this production and what R. B. is doing with it?
BP: It’s just really modern. It’s such a different take on the traditional kind of Handel opera. It’s going to be a real shock for the audiences with some of the twists and turns he’s throwing in.
RS: R. B. talked a lot about how when it first premiered it was really scandalous at that time. And now he’s transforming it to something that would be somewhat scandalous to be portrayed in this time.
Elias Husiak (Cadmus/Somnus Cover): I think he’s really focusing on the interaction between characters and, as opposed to just an overarching theme, he’s really taking into account each different relationship and how they affect everyone else, which makes it more relatable and makes it accessible to people who don’t know opera as well as others.
Natasha Bratkovski (Semele Cover): R.B.’s really turning something that was originally an oratorio into something that is a full-fledged opera.
Alyssa Naper: What would you tell people new to opera to expect going in?
BP: Like I said before, don’t expect the traditional. You’re going to get some great Handel music, just with a really cool twist… Not to spoil too much; there’s a lot of hip hop, contemporary, very well known dance moves, so a lot of things will be recognized.
EH: A lot of flash, a lot of color.
RS: Be ready to be surprised!
Performances of “Semele,” take place in the Hoerner Theatre in Dillingham Center February 24 and 26 and March 1, 3 and 5 at 8 p.m., as well as at 2 p.m. on Feb. 28.
Tickets can be purchased at the Ithaca College box office in Dillingham Center or online at ithaca.ticketforce.com. The box office is open Monday–Thursday noon–5 p.m., and Friday noon–4 p.m.. Tickets can also be purchased over the phone at (607) 274-3224. Tickets range between $8 and $16.
Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact The Dillingham ticket office at (607) 274-3224. We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible.
https://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/2016021911433481