BEMIDJI — The Bemidji State Opera Theater’s upcoming production of Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro” will provide a great challenge and an even greater reward for all cast and crew involved.
Opening on Friday, Oct. 18, the production follows Susanna and Figaro as they navigate various troubles in their marriage. Count Almaviva’s attempts to seduce Susanna are foiled and with the help from Countess Rosina, the Count learns a lesson about fidelity.
ADVERTISEMENT
Opera director Cory Renbarger describes the show as “a quintessential opera” that’s crucial to operatic repertoire.
“I chose this because it’s something our students will want and need to know, and our community will see ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ and think ‘I want to see that,’” Renbarger said in a release. “I want to give people a chance to see something great and to learn.”
Blake Staines, a 2024 BSU graduate, is double-casted as Figaro and Antonio, roles he will switch off on select nights with junior Carson Binkley. The pair have acted in previous BSU opera productions including “The 1950s in Three Short Operas” in February 2023.
While BSU’s rendition of “The Marriage of Figaro” has been compressed to an hour and 15 minutes from its original three-hour run time, preparation has been paramount.
“This is definitely the most demanding and most challenging thing that we’ve done here at BSU,” Staines said. “This is also the most lengthy opera that we’ve done in the last five-and-a-half years, at least. But we have so much support behind us to really make it something special.”
“Usually, singers our age don’t get to sing full operas, let alone ‘The Marriage of Figaro,’” Binkley added. “It’s by no means an easy opera, but the challenge is amazing.”
For sophomore Helen Bartlett, participating in her first BSU production is a chance to observe her own love of theater as well as make her grandfather proud. As it turns out, her grandfather played the Count in the production during the early stages of his musical career.
ADVERTISEMENT
“My grandfather used to participate in these many years ago and he’s been a musical inspiration for me,” Bartlett said. “I wanted to make him proud but also do this for myself, for this to be a growing opportunity.”
Showcasing hard work
Another adjustment to the original production is the setting, being changed from Seville, Spain, to London.
“It’ll still be in another time period, but a little dirtier, a little darker,” Renbarger said. “It will still be the same relationships — the same aristocracy versus the peasant class, men versus women, those common Mozart themes — but it will be a little more of an industrial, Victorian age. It will still transport you to another time and place.”
Despite artistic liberties, Staines is grateful for the opportunity to add “The Marriage of Figaro” to his resume as he plans for a future of graduate school.
“It’s incredibly valuable for me to pursue this,” he mentioned, “and have this production in my list of repertoire.”
While the opera has drawn attention away from his search, Staines is confident he’ll find the right school given his support system.
“Dr. Renbarger is a great resource to get an idea of what these teachers are good at, what their specialties are and how they would gel with my learning style and my voice type,” Staines said.
ADVERTISEMENT
As the production nears its debut, Renbarger noted the value of each student’s involvement as they develop their voices and showcase their skills.
“One of the great things about doing a performance like this is singing a full show, literally one of the best in the entire repertoire,” he said. “It’s an experience with a full production that students are not going to get at very many places. I continue to see how far we can push our undergrads, and they always own up to the task. It just keeps getting better and better.”
Binkley detailed his own plans to continue operatic performance after the final curtain call for “The Marriage of Figaro.”
“This is my passion. It’s what I love to do and it’s what keeps me grounded,” Binkley left off. “I’m very excited to showcase all of the hard work that my colleagues and I have put toward this show. It’ll be good for the community to get a glimpse into what our futures hold and get to show the best of what we’re able to give.”
Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18, and Saturday, Oct. 19. All shows will take place in the main theater in the Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex.
Tickets can be reserved by calling (218) 755-2934 or purchasing on the Hometown Fan app. Tickets can also be purchased from Tammy Erickson in Bangsberg room 102, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The cost is $20 for adults and $15 for seniors and children. BSU and NTC students can attend for free with a valid student ID.