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performance The Hills of Western North Carolina are Alive!
W
ith The Sound of Music coming to the Diana Wortham stage this April, the Asheville Lyric Opera is delighted to usher in a beautiful spring. Many people know this uplifting family tale through the Oscar-winning film starring Julie Andrews, but the original Rogers & Hammerstein Broadway musical is no less celebrated and timeless. ALO Associate Artistic Director Kristen Hedberg will be making her mainstage directorial debut, following last season’s success as director of the youth opera Brundibar. This theater classic is sure to make you bar laugh, cry, and leave thinking you’ll never stop singing “Doe, a deer” to yourself. Set in pre-World War II Austria on the verge of German occupation, The Sound of Music is a captivating story of how music and family can keep us together through even the toughest of times. The musical shows how song emboldens the von Trapp family to stand up for what they believe in. As in the real-life story of Captain Georg von Trapp, the musical family faces real danger, and their story is an inspiration for
BY
PHILIP MARSCHALL
all who wish to resist militaristic oppression. The Sound of Music is a perfect showcase for the directorial talents of ALO’s very own Kristen Hedberg. Not only does she hold a degree in musical theater, but she has worked extensively in the past with young singers as the educational director for the Asheville Lyric Opera before assuming her current role as Associate Artistic Director. Her work as director for Brundibar has also helped prepare her for staging a work featuring so many young voices. Don’t expect her to tone down the emotions because of the kids, though—Ms. Hedberg is planning a very realistic production. Expect to be delighted by beautiful, carefree melodies while being simultaneously struck by the true gravity of the situation. As anyone who had the pleasure to see Ms. Hedberg’s recent performance as Despina in Così fan tutte can attest, her attention to detail on stage is impeccable, and she is sure to impart her astute sense of timing and characterization on this production as well.
The wealth of local artistic talent in WNC will be on full display with Amanda Horton and Roberto Flores as the two main characters. Ms. Horton will bring her beautiful soprano to the role of Maria, while the commanding presence of the Captain will be equaled by Mr. Flores’ titanic voice. Both are Amanda Horton Roberto Flores well-known in the area and have previously appeared on the ALO stage. voice teacher in the community, and is very Ms. Horton has sung several leading excited to appear alongside several of her roles with Asheville Lyric Opera in recent students in The Sound of Music. seasons including Susanna in Le nozze di FiThis is a perfect example of why there garo and Adina in L’elisir d’amore. Captain is so much excitement surrounding this provon Trapp is Mr. Flores’ debut in a principle duction: many members of Western North role with the ALO, but he has appeared in Carolina’s artistic family coming together both musical theater and opera, with credits to put on a much-beloved piece about the in Grease, Godspell, Don Giovanni and importance of family and music. This is Carmen to his name. something we can all relate to, and it is the Another cast highlight is Simone VigiOpera’s hope that many entire families will lante as the Mother Abbess. Not only is Ms. be in the audience for this great event! Vigilante a talented artist in her own right, appearing in Asheville Lyric Opera produc‘Sound of Music’ continued on page 7 tions since 2002, but she is also a dedicated
Vol. 15, No. 8 — RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE — April 2012 3