Opera Theatre to Present “The Seed of Greed”
The Lee University Opera Theatre, directed by James Frost, will perform “The Seed of Greed” from Thursday, Feb. 24 to Sunday, Feb. 27, in the Dixon Center on Lee’s campus. Each production will start at 7:30 p.m. with Sunday’s showing at 3 p.m.
“After attending a workshop this summer and learning about devised pieces, I really wanted to collaborate with my students for this performance,” said Frost. “On stage, performers usually perform set works, but this opportunity gives the students a chance to help create what will be performed on stage.”
“The Seed of Greed” is based on the classic “Hänsel and Gretel.” The main theme of the opera is greed for money and power in a corporation, namely Leckermaul’s Famous Gingerbread and Candy Factory. The founders of the factory, Mr. and Mrs. Leckermaul, died through a suspicious accident. Strangely, their will was written to give the “secret gingerbread recipe” and most of their possessions to their third born child, Rosina. While this named her CEO of the corporation, her elder brothers are upset and suspicious about how the power fell into her hands.
The performance will be accompanied by an instrument ensemble consisting of a clarinet, French horn, cello, and piano conducted by Dr. ChoEun Lee, assistant professor of collaborative piano and vocal coaching at Lee.
Frost joined the full-time School of Music faculty in 2007. He currently teaches applied voice and directs Lee’s Opera Theatre. Prior to his arrival at Lee, Frost lived in Germany for 20 years where he gained professional experience at various opera houses such as Stadttheatre Hildesheim in Germany, Tiroler Landestheater in Austria, and regional theatres in the United States.
Dr. Lee joined the School of Music faculty in 2016. She has given numerous performances across the world in major venues including Carnegie Hall, Ozawa Hall (Tanglewood Music Center), and Harris Concert Hall (Aspen Music Festival).
Opera Theatre began in the spring of 1998 as a workshop and has grown into a production organization performing a Musical Revue in the fall semester, a fully-staged opera from both standard and less traditional repertoire in February, and an opera scenes program during the spring semester.
“The Seed of Greed” is open to the public. Tickets are available for purchase at leeu-music.eventbrite.com/ or at the box office located in the Communication Arts Building. Tickets are $8 for general admission and $5 for those 17 and under and seniors 65+.
For more information about Lee’s Opera Theatre, email Professor Frost at [email protected].
