Contact: Sasha Steinberg

STARKVILLE, Miss.—The Opera Production program in Mississippi State’s Department of Music is presenting 7:30 p.m. performances of Giacomo Puccini’s “Suor Angelica” March 29 and 30 at First United Methodist Church’s Connection Center.

The center is located at 101 E. Lampkin St. in Starkville.

Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for students. Tickets can be reserved in advance by contacting Cathy Evans at 662-325-3490 or cevans@colled.msstate.edu. Purchases also can be made at the door on the day of each show.

Both performances will reflect the creative direction of MSU Assistant Professor of Voice Roza Tulyaganova and musical direction of fellow MSU Assistant Professor of Voice Jeanette Fontaine.

“This all-female cast emulates both beauty and darkness throughout the opera by singing to new heights with intricate melodies and choral depth,” Tulyaganova said.

She added that encouraging excellence among cast and crew to ensure integrity of the beloved opera’s message and purpose is a top priority.

“The complexity of music and drama makes ‘Suor Angelica’ stand out in the modern repertoire. I am thrilled to have such a great cast for this production. Musically, the show is very challenging and nevertheless our MSU students handle it as professionals,” Tulyaganova said. “The opera will be accompanied by a chamber orchestra consisting of faculty and students. Such collaboration is extremely important in the development of young musicians.”

The story of “Suor Angelica” is that of Sister Angelica, a young woman with a dark past and whose family insists on her becoming a nun. Despite personal tragedies and spiritual warfare, Sister Angelica ultimately finds redemption and forgiveness.

Tulyaganova said the opera invites the audience into Sister Angelica and other nuns’ everyday lives of prayer and religious duties, as well as their hobbies and social interactions within the convent.

Trevor Blood, an MSU senior music education major from Hoover, Alabama, is this year’s student assistant director. The role of Sister Angelica will alternate with a March 29 performance by Haylee Glenn, a senior music education major from Arlington, Texas, and March 30 performance by Payton Tanner, a senior music major from Alabaster, Alabama.

In addition to MSU students and instrumental faculty, the live orchestra will consist of members of the Starkville community and the Capstone String Quartet from Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

The Opera Production program’s mission is to educate MSU students while sharing a love of quality music with the Golden Triangle communities. Each production occurs in the spring semester, paired with the Opera Workshop class held during the fall semester. The course is open to all MSU students and strives to train talented vocalists, musicians and aspiring conductors for professional careers.

For more updates on Opera Production’s “Suor Angelica,” follow on Facebook @MSUoperaPro or on Instagram @msu_opera.

Part of MSU’s College of Education, the nationally accredited Department of Music is online at www.music.msstate.edu, as well as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @MSStateMusic.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.