UNC opera puts contemporary spin on politics of ancient Rome in 'La clemenza di Tito'

This weekend, UNC Opera will aim to modernize ancient Roman politics through the drama of Mozart’s “La clemenza di Tito.”

The two-act show, which opens tonight, features student singers and musicians from UNC’s department of music.

“La clemenza di Tito” is an opera in Italian about a Roman emperor who is seen as a celebrity among those in ancient Rome.

Vincent Povazsay, a junior and conductor of the orchestra accompanying the opera, said performers will wear contemporary clothes in an effort to give the show a fresh take.

UNC Opera Director Bobb Robinson, who is directing the production, chose to stage this particular show because the music fit best with the vocal ranges and skills of the students involved.

Robinson said students auditioned for the parts last semester and signed up for a class this semester to rehearse their parts.

Allison Wrenn Thomas, a mezzo-soprano who plays a main character in the opera, said her favorite part of the experience was learning the songs.

“Mozart just makes gorgeous music for the voice,” Thomas said.

Povazsay said the greatest reward for everyone — the performers and the audience — is the music itself.

UNC senior Laura Buff, another actress in the opera, said the most exciting part for her was the opportunity to be part of a full-fledged opera production.

However, Robinson — who is in his first year as director of UNC Opera — said staging an opera was not without challenges.

Robinson said the biggest challenge for many students was having to learn how to sing in Italian, a language many had no experience with.

Thomas said she faced the challenge of having to sing throughout the entire show.

“Training my voice to have the stamina to sing throughout the whole opera was definitely a learning experience,” Thomas said.

Buff and Thomas said they are passionate about the art form and keeping it alive.

“Opera is an important art form because of its connection to culture,” Thomas said.

“It has so much depth, history and culture behind it,” she said.

Buff said she hopes UNC students walk away with a greater appreciation for the art of opera.

“I hope that it will make people kind of see that opera’s not this crazy, incomprehensible thing,” Buff said.

“I hope that college students can take away that opera is something they can enjoy too — they don’t have to see it when they’re 70.”

Contact the desk editor at arts@dailytarheel.com.