February 15, 2016

Morris Library to host musical performances

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Get a sneak peek at the upcoming production of “Hansel and Gretel” and enjoy other talented Southern Illinois University Carbondale student musical performances on Friday, Feb. 19, at Morris Library. 

The “An Afternoon of Opera and Song” edition of the Music at Morris concert series will start at noon in the first floor rotunda.  It is free and open to the public. Those attending are welcome to bring their lunches or purchase snacks at the library. Paul Transue, opera coach and associate professor of collaborative piano at SIU, will host the performance. 

Soloists performing at the library concert include Jeremy Simmons with “Almen se non poss’io Per pieta, bell’idol mio,” Zhang “Candace” Lu with “Tu che di gel sei cinta’ from “Turandot,” Jessica Samples with “Ox Tail Soup/Rabbit at Top Speed” from “La Bonne Cuisine,” and Brittney Leimkuehler with “Vissi d’Arte” from “Tosca.” 

The program also features several excerpts from “Hansel and Gretel,” including Nyghel Byrd with “Father’s Aria,” Sydney Alex Dycus singing “The Dew Fairy’s Aria,” Paul Hawkins Jr. with “The Witch’s Ride,” and the opening duet by Michelle Ford and Brynn Scozzari, who play the leads in the musical. 

The SIU Department of Theater and School of Music, along with the Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra, will present the full production of the Engelbert Humperdinck opera “Hansel and Gretel” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 and 27 and 2 p.m. Feb. 28 at McLeod Theater. Additional information about tickets for this and other productions this season is available at http://cola.siu.edu/theater/productions/current-season/.