Mason Gross treats Rutgers to performances of 'Dark Sisters,' 'Der Kaiser von Atlantis'
On November 24, the Mason Gross School of the Arts showcased two stunning operas at the Nicholas Music Center on Douglass campus. The first cast put on the opera "Dark Sisters," while the second performed "Der Kaiser von Atlantis." Both shows featured instrumental musicians from HELIX! New Music Ensemble, a Mason Gross ensemble.
"Dark Sisters" is an English opera that features music by Nico Muhly and a libretto by Stephen Karam. Unlike most traditional operas with settings in pre-contemporary ages, this is a modern opera that takes place in 2008.
It stars five women, Eliza (Susana Leiva), Presendia (Mason Gross senior Kira de Oliveira), Ruth (Mason Gross sophomore Jordan Esmond Calderon), Almera (Jessica Vargas) and Zina (Eunjin Lee), who are the wives of the Prophet/King. The opera also stars Eliza's daughter, Lucinda (Ruijing Guo), and the Prophet/King (Ziliang Hao).
The show makes a statement on resistance by utilizing the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), specifically the true lives of the women living on the Yearning for Zion Ranch in Eldorado, Texas. According to the program notes, FLDS is "a religious sect that splintered from mainstream Mormonism in the early 1900s, predominantly due to Mormonism's rejection of polygamy."
The opera showcased the women's experiences, specifically after the government raided the ranch and took their children under custody because it believed the kids were being abused and forced to marry young. In a very moving scene, Eliza, one of the wives, bravely opens up in a TV news interview about how she was forced to marry young, and the opera ends with her removing herself from the ranch. But she cannot convince the others to do the same. The show was very powerful, showcasing the importance of the bravery and power Eliza had to gain to leave the drastic situation.
"Dark Sisters" was a very good introduction for someone new to the art form of opera. Since it's in English and takes place in the modern era, newer audiences can easily connect to the work. While containing a heavy subject matter, the show itself is approachable. With outstanding performers, singers and musicians, it has something for everyone.
After the intermission, a new cast took the stage to perform "Der Kaiser von Atlantis," which is a German opera featuring Viktor Ullmann's music and a libretto by Peter Kien. The opera itself was written around 1943 while Ullmann and Kien were imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp. They were killed before the opera could premiere.
The production is made up of seven roles: Emperor Kaiser Overall (Kwan Soon Yim), Death (Carl Muhler), Harlekin (Dylan Rausch, a student in the Mason Gross graduate program), Drummer (Yimeng An), Soldier (Siyuan Yin), Bobbed Hair Girl (Victoria Slome) and Loudspeaker (Mason Gross junior Abdon Andahur).
The show is about what happens when Death grows tired and disrespected by the inhumane actions of the Emperor. When the Emperor declares war on everyone, Death protests and makes all humans immortal. As life descends into chaos, Death will only return if the Emperor dies first.
Like "Dark Sisters," "Der Kaiser von Atlantis" is an extremely powerful story. It serves as a testament to the importance of artistic endeavors in the face of oppression. The Mason Gross production featured talented performers with an excellent minimalist set design that allowed the viewers to connect with the characters.
If you are unfamiliar with operas, these shorter productions can be an excellent introduction to the art form. Inexperience or being unfamiliar with the subject matter does not mean you can not enjoy the incredible work of the cast and crew of this production.
