Ben King Quale to Perform in Opera Scenes Workshop at Luther College

2012 Jan 20

Ben King Quale, a Luther College first-year student from Lake Crystal, Minn., will perform in an Opera Scenes Workshop performance on Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. in Luther's Jenson Noble Hall of Music in the Noble Recital Hall.

The event is open to the public with no charge for admission.

King Quale, the son of Debra and Richard King Qulae, is a 2011 graduate of Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial High School. He is majoring in music at Luther.

The Workshop performance is the culmination of the Intro to Opera Scenes January Term class, taught by Jacob Lassetter, Luther adjunct faculty in music.

In addition to preparing the program, the students learn the art of "singing-acting." This training consists of various exercises and games designed to help improve their abilities as singer-actors. The exercises develop specific techniques as well as help relieve body tension and performance anxiety.

The class also studied basic opera literature and history. Students prepare presentations on operas and watch videos of four operas in their entirety.

The students auditioned in October and 22 were selected based on vocal talent, presentation, experience and balance of vocal type.

The program features scenes from "Candide" by Bernstein, "The Mikado" by Gilbert and Sullivan, "Die Zauberflöte" by Mozart, "Les Contes d'Hoffmann" by Offenbach, "Madama Butterfly" by Puccini, "Die Fledermaus" by Strauss and "La Traviata" by Verdi.