Opera Theatre to present "La Canterina" and "La Davina"

October 19, 2010 - Shorter University’s opera theatre will present “La Canterina” by Joseph Haydn and “La Divina” by Thomas Pasatieri Oct. 21-24 in the university’s Callaway Theatre. Both productions are one-act operas.

According to Deborah Popham, opera director and assistant professor of music, “La Divina” is formed around the Italian term diva, which means goddess, or star of the stage. “Originally, this term was designated for the best singer of the company --prima diva.  This particular designation was typically reserved for the soprano.  Unfortunately, not all sopranos were on their best behaviors, and the term diva came to have a negative connotation as a singer that is difficult,” said Popham.  

Tareva Moore (who portrays Appolonia) is flanked by Emily Alderman (Don Ettore), Emily Tweedy (Gasparina) and Jonathan Parham ( Don Pelagio) in La Canterina.


 “In the 18th century, this behavior was often viewed as cute or endearing when the young soprano flirts with her singing teacher to jumpstart her career.  In the twentieth century, this behavior becomes a bit more maddening when it is an aging soprano nearing the end of her career.  However, through two operas, “La Canterina” and “La Divina,” we see how a soprano can use her wiles to get her way regardless of age or century.”

These two, one-act operas will be performed by a cast of 15 students. They are: Emily Alderman, Anthony Chu, Mary Diesch, Jasmine Habersham, Sarah Blake Hicks, Michelle Kelly, Patrick McCormick, Jahi Mims, Tareva Moore, Ryan O'Leary, Jonathan Parham, Matthew Queen, Trey Smagur, Joseph P. Sokohl, and Emily Tweedy.

Ryan O'Leary and Michelle Kelly (Madame Altina), Sarah Blake Hicks ( Cecily) and Joe Sokhol (Matthew) perform a scene from La Divina.


Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for students and seniors. To order, call the Shorter University box office at 706-233-7288.

Founded in 1873, Shorter University is a Christian college committed to excellence in education. Since 2003, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Shorter among the South’s best baccalaureate colleges, and the Princeton Review annually includes Shorter on its lists of best value and best Southeastern college. The university offers traditional bachelor’s degrees in 48 major areas as well as undergraduate degree programs for working adults, the Master of Business Administration, the Master of Education and the Master of Arts in Leadership. General education and calculus courses are offered in an online format, and Shorter recently launched online programs that lead toward the Associate of Science, the Bachelor of Business Administration, and the Master of Accountancy degrees. For more information, visit www.shorter.edu.


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