Events | FeaturedDecember 02, 2024

UAFS Presents 'Cinderella' Dec. 5-6

The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Opera and Musical Theatre Workshop proudly presents Pauline Viardot’s delightful chamber opera, “Cinderella,” based on the traditional fairytale by Charles Perrault, on December 5 and 6 at 7 p.m. in Breedlove Auditorium on the UAFS campus. The performance is free, but tickets are required and can be reserved through the UAFS website at: https://uafs.edu/season-of-entertainment/index.php

Cinderella is a well-known fairy tale about a young girl wronged by her own family and her ultimate redemption through her discovery of true love, made possible with a little help from her Fairy Godmother. Good triumphs over evil, and kindness and generosity are rewarded, making this a wonderful and fun opera experience, especially for families with children.  

Viardot’s music carries the audience into a dreamlike world of enchantment. While originally composed in French with piano accompaniment, the UAFS ensemble will perform an English translation by Rachel Harris arranged for orchestra by Charles Efflert.  
Professor of Music and Director of the UAFS Opera and Musical Theatre Workshop, Dr. Elizabeth Momand, says, “(Cinderella) is an opera that will appeal to all ages. It has serious moments, funny moments, and moments that will tug at your heartstrings.” 

Momand has chosen to set the opera in modern times yet keeps several elements of the original setting, including having the students dance the minuet as instructed by the composer.  Another anachronistic feature of the opera is the song the Fairy Godmother character will sing. 

“There is a spot in the score where Viardot, the composer, wrote that the director should choose any song of their choice for the Fairy Godmother to sing,” Momand explained. “Since our production is a modern setting of the opera, I have chosen a song by one of today’s biggest pop stars for Fairy Godmother to sing.”  

Momand hopes combining period music and dance with some modern elements will make for an enchanting evening of theatre.

Momand directs the cast of 15 UAFS music and theatre students. The orchestra – a first for a UAFS opera – is staffed by UAFS music students and area professionals and is conducted by Dr. Alexandra Zacharella, professor of music and director of bands. 

Momand notes that Cinderella fits well with the two-fold mission of the Opera and Musical Theatre Workshop: to offer students opportunities to develop their vocal and dramatic skills by participating in all aspects of operatic productions and to introduce the world of opera to the regional community by presenting musical dramas that appeal to a wide range of audiences.  

In addition to the evening performances, the students will perform educational performances for nearly 800 local school students.  Momand said, “We sincerely hope that our production will be rewarding and spark an interest in students and the public that will develop into a lifelong appreciation for opera, music, and theatre arts.

Free tickets can be reserved by visiting the UAFS Box Office.

• Tags:
• Stacey Jones Season of Entertainment
• Opera and Musical Theater