As the dread of finals draws in, Harper Joy Theater and the music department offer much needed comedic and melodic release with this semester’s final show: the opera “The Merry Wives of Windsor.”
“The show is very fun: it’s kind of a big romp,” said junior McKenna Milici.
Composer Otto Nicolai’s score and Hermann Salomon Mosenthal’s libretto follow Shakespeare’s well-known comedy of the same title. Originally in German, the libretto has since been translated into multiple languages, including the English version that director Nancy Simon, the Garrett professor of dramatic art is using.
The opera follows Falstaff, an impoverished old knight, as he attempts to woo two wealthy, married ladies, Mistresses Ford and Page. As they seek their revenge upon him, another sub-plot follows Mistress Page’s young daughter Anne, who courts an unfavored suitor named Fenton. Two other, more acceptable suitors pursue her as well, each finding favor in one parent but not the other, resulting in parental squabbles and trickery.
According to Nathan Shiu ’07, who plays the romantic young Fenton, the music in “Merry Wives” reflects many aspects of the show’s themes as well as the plotline.
“The music is very varied,” said Shiu. “Nikolai definitely uses humor in the music, mostly with Falstaff’s character. There are lyrical passages about love and about reminiscing, big chorus sections scolding Mr. Ford and florid passages when the ‘Merry Wives’ are scheming.”
Although the show is an opera, Milici and Shiu believe that the show’s theatrical flair will keep audiences entertained.
“I think a lot of people who are used to theater brush off opera as something that only old people go to… [or] that it is all,” said Millici. “This show is so slapstick and beautifully choreographed and costumed, I think it will make a lot of people laugh.”
“The first thing that comes to mind [about the show’s uniqueness] is the costumes,” said Shiu. “They are amazingly colored and coordinated. And there are fairy and goblin masks made by [senior] Kelsey Yuhara that are beautiful.”
Shiu is also excited about the guest actor who plays Falstaff, professional singer Daniel Oakden.
“It’s a great opportunity for students to hear a professional singer,” he said. “He is absolutely wonderful. Plus, he wears a fat suit.”
In any case, both Shiu and Milici look forward to this opera. In Shiu’s case, “Merry Wives” is a lot more of what Milici would call “a romp,” compared with some of the stress of his lead role in the theater’s production of “Cosi Fan Tutte” last fall.
“‘Cosi’ definitely helped me prepare for ‘Merry Wives.’ For one, ‘Cosi’ was almost three hours long, and the principles sing at least half that time, if not more. That’s a lot of singing,” he said. “‘Merry Wives’ is only over two hours and with nine principles there is less singing for each principle. This is really nice and less stressful.”
For cast member Milici, who plays Mistress Ford, her role in the opera is something she has strived for since she came to Whitman. Senior Kaley Eaton, who plays the role of Mistress Page (and who attended high school with Milici) explained that one musical and one opera rotates every other year. After performing in the chorus of 2007’s “Cosi Fan Tutte,” she decided to audition her junior year as well.
“I knew I wanted to do the opera my junior year, since I’m a music major with an emphasis on classical singing,” she said. “This is my one big show that would be my highlight of my college career since I’m a junior. Performing in opera is what I love to do best, and I can’t believe this moment is finally here.”
For both the audience and the cast alike, the show offers a much-needed break from the gloom of finals week. “Merry Wives” evening performances will show at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and a matinee will show Sunday at 2 p.m. A limited number of tickets are still available at the theater box office, open from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.
