TRADITIONAL IRISH FAERY TALE SET TO PREMIERE AT BARD COLLEGE.

ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y.-An original opera, A Song That's True: A Faery-Tale Opera for Anyone Who Is or Once Was a Child, written and performed by Bard students, will premiere this weekend, Friday, March 12, Saturday, March 13, and Sunday, March 14 at Bard College. The opera will be performed in the multipurpose room of the new Bertelsmann Campus Center, with performances each evening at 7 p.m., and an additional matinee on Sunday, March 14, at 3 p.m. The performances are free and open to the public.

The story of A Song That's True is based on a traditional Irish faery tale, "The Legend of Knockgrafton." The opera was written by Scott Gendel, a senior music major at Bard College and the cast and crew are all Bard students. The story follows the life of Lusmore, a hunchback and hatmaker extraordinaire, as he tries to win the hand of the mayor's daughter, despite the prejudices of the mayor and the jealousy and hatred of rival hatmaker, Jack Madden. As the plot unfolds, faeries, their queen, and a mob of nosey townsfolk become entangled in Lusmore's efforts.

Brian Scheidt stars as Lusmore, Ethan Bremner slithers in as Jack, Arie Sinter is the faery queen, Terence O'Rourke portrays the tongue-tied mayor, Kristin Leonard is his lovely and intelligent daughter, and thirteen other students play the faeries and townsfolk. Five musicians accompany the opera, with an orginal set by Gwenaelle Gobe and costumes by Arie Singer.

In addition to having written the libretto and music, Scott Gendel is also producer, director, stage manager, and pianist for the production. He wrote A Song That's True out of his love for opera and a desire to create one for children.

In addition to the weekend performances, an additional performance will be given on Monday, March 15, for the entire second-grade class of the Mill Road Elementary School under the auspices of the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. program-the Empire State Partnership between Bard College and the Red Hook Central School District.

For further information about the performances call 914-758-6822.

This event was last updated on 03-02-2001

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