Belmont University School of Music presents
Opera Around the Word Opera Scenes
Belmont University School of Music
From the Directors We are delighted to welcome you to this year’s Opera Scenes program, Opera Around the World! Tonight, we invite you to travel across the globe through a collection of scenes that celebrate the diversity of opera and the cultures, languages, and traditions that have shaped this extraordinary art form. This year's program offers our students the opportunity to explore a wide range of musical styles, dramatic traditions, and storytelling. From lighthearted comedy and romance to moments of heartfelt emotion and drama, each scene offers a glimpse into the ways composers have brought human experiences to life through music. Throughout this process, our students have been challenged not only to sing in different languages and styles, but also to consider the cultural and historical contexts of the works they perform. They have discovered that while musical traditions and approaches to storytelling may differ from country to country, the emotions and experiences at the heart of these stories are remarkably universal. Love, jealousy, humor, longing, and the complexities of human relationships transcend geographical and linguistic boundaries. We hope tonight's performance takes you on an entertaining musical trip around the world and reminds us that, no matter where a story originates, music has a remarkable ability to connect us all. Dr. Savanna Sokolnicki & Dr. Kristi Whitten, directors, Belmont Opera Theatre Monday November 2, 2026 7:30 P.M. Massey Concert Hall
Program U.S.A. The Old Maid and the Thief Scene V
Gian Carlo Menotti (1911-2007) Staring Laetitia - Karlee Nelson Mrs. Todd - Rox Davidson Bob - Brian Deavers
Godspeed Act I, Scene I
Deen Entsminger (b. 1950) Staring Wife - Jadyn Case Daughter - Sophia Andrzejewski Mother - Gyanna Simmons Sister - Emilee Beauman Husband - Brian Deavers Father - John Berns Son - Evin Ross Brother - Aidan Aycock
Villagers McKinnon Baker, Cameron Balbalosa, McKenna Doyle, Natalia Hernandez, Lily Lipscomb, Niamh O'Connor, Emma Perrine, Gyanna Simmons, Annie White, Wesleigh Jane Winfrey
France Louise Act II, Second Tableau
Gustave Charpentier (1860-1956) Staring Irma - Madison Smith Camille - Rachel Hiatt Gertrude - Rox Davidson Errand Girl - Victoria Uribe Elise - Karlee Nelson Louise - Abby Everett Suzanne - Katelyn Barnes
Madeline - Annie White Forewoman - Caroline Moss Marguerite - Kiara Valladares Blanche - Daniela Baker
India Lakmé Act I, Scene i-ii
Léo Delibes (1836-1891) Staring Nilakantha - John Berns Malaika - McKinnon Baker Lakmé - Katelyn Barnes Hadji - Cameron Balbalosa
Spain L’eliser d’amore Act II, Scene iv
Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848) Staring Gianetta - Victoria Uribe Nemorino - Evin Ross
Village Girls Anna Cannito, Rachel Hiatt, Veronica Selby, Madison Smith
England Patience Act I, Scene I
W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan (1836-1911), (1842-1900) Staring Ella - Kiara Valladares Angela - Wesleigh Jane Winfrey Patience - Veronica Selby Saphir - Caroline Moss Jane - Emma Perrine
Maidens Sophia Andrzejewski, McKinnon Baker, Emilee Beauman, Anna Cannito, Jadyn Case, McKenna Doyle, Natalia Hernandez, Lily Lipscomb, Niamh O'Connor, Gyanna Simmons, Annie White
Italy Cosi fan tutte Act III, Scene i-ii
W.A. Mozart (1756-1791) Staring Despina - Daniela Baker Fiordiligi - Abby Everett Dorabella - Madison Smith
Austria Die Fledermaus Act II, Scene vi-viii
Johann Strauss II (1825-1899) Staring Orlofsky - Rox Davidson Falke - Brian Deavers Adele - Anna Cannito Eisenstein - Cameron Balbalosa I Diener - Caroline Moss II Diener - Emma Perrine III Diener - Niamh O'Connor Ein Damen - Annie White Melanie - Lily Lipscomb Faustine - McKenna Doyle Felicita - Gyanna Simmons Mermine - McKinnon Baker Minnie - Wesleigh Jane Winfrey Natalie - Natalia Hernandez
Party Guests Sophia Andrzejewski, Aidan Aycock, Daniela Baker, Katelyn Barnes, Emilee Beauman John Berns, Jadyn Case, Abby Everett, Rachel Hiatt, Karlee Nelson, Evin Ross, Veronica Selby, Madison Smith, Victoria Uribe, Kiara Valladares
Production Team Director…………………………………………………………………………..………Dr. Savanna Sokolnicki Director………………………………………...………………………………..……………….Dr. Kristi Whitten Music Director…………………………………………………...……………………………………Daniel Krenz Piano………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Eliot Hinson Graduate Opera Teaching Assistant………………….....………………………………Veronica Selby Event Coordinator………………….....………………………………………………………Nivedham Singh Event Coordinator…………………………………………….……………………………………..Bretford Bell
Special Thanks Stephen R. Eaves, Dean, College of Music and Performing Arts Massey Performing Arts Center Production Crew Stephanie Reese, Chair of Fashion, O' More College of Architecture & Design Gina Lackore and Rachel Hiatt, programs Publix on Melrose School of Music Staff
Upcoming Concerts & Events World Fiddle & Bluegrass Ensembles Wednesday, November 4, 7:30 p.m. Massey Concert Hall Guitar Ensemble Thursday, November 5, 7:30 p.m. McAfee Concert Hall