Apr 27 Saturday
Based on the intriguing life of diva Pauline Viardot, this world premiere opera takes a behind-the-scenes look at her fascinating professional and personal life, including her rumored affair with Russian poet Ivan Turgenev all the while married to Louis Viardot, a man 21 years her senior. Along the journey of her life, you will meet an array of Pauline’s famous friends and family, including Georges Sand, Charles Dickens, Maria Malibran and more. Directed by Dr. Tracelyn Gesteland, the opera is performed in English with orchestra conducted by Maestro Michael Ching.
Performed in Aalfs Auditorium, Slagle Hall, April 27, 2024, 7:30pm and April 28, 2024, 3pm.
USD Opera presents an exciting world premiere opera entitled "Notes on Viardot," based on the intriguing life of opera diva Pauline Viardot. This opera was commissioned by the USD Opera from renowned composer, Michael Ching.
Viardot was an internationally famed singer, highly respected voice teacher, exemplary pianist, and gifted composer who came from a prominent, high-powered musical family living in Paris in the 19th century. The opera takes a behind-the-scenes look at her professional and personal life, including her rumored affair with Russian poet Ivan Turgenev all the while married to Louis Viardot, a man 21 years her senior. Along the journey of her life, you will meet an array of Pauline’s famous friends, family and colleagues, including Georges Sand, Clara Schumann, Maria Malibran and more.
Music and libretto by Michael ChingDirector: Dr. Tracelyn GestelandConductor: Michael Ching
Apr 28 Sunday
May 03 Friday
Now is the time to get into step with the Prom through the Decades Dance, Friday, May 3. Join us as we dance to live music on the spacious hardwood-floored ballroom of the El Riad Shrine in downtown Sioux Falls. All are welcome to celebrate the spring prom season with us. The evening begins at 6:45 with a beginner dance lesson, free with admission to the dance, taught by instructor Lisa Myhre. Open dancing to music performed by the 17-piece El Riad Big Band begins at 7:30. There will be a variety of music suited to your favorite dances; including swing, ballroom, two-step, and Latin dancing styles. And there will be opportunities for instruction in other partnered dances throughout the evening. During band breaks there will be opportunities to participate in popular line dances such as the Electric Slide, Shivers, and Fireball. Come wearing your favorite dressy, casual, or vintage prom inspired attire. There is ample free parking on the street and in the large lot on the east side of the El Riad. Facebook.com/ElRiadShrineDanceClub Facebook.com/BallroomDanceClubSiouxFalls
Alabama Storyby Kenneth JonesDirected by Bernie McFarlingAssistant Directed by Ryan PufferMay 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18 at 7:00pmMay 5, 12, 19 at 2:00pmin the Studio TheaterAs the Civil Rights movement in Montgomery, Alabama in 1959 is brewing, a controversial children’s book about a black rabbit marrying a white rabbit stirs the passions of a segregationist State Senator and a no-nonsense State Librarian. Meanwhile the reunion of two childhood friends, Joshua and Lily, provides private counterpoint to the public events swirling in the state capital. Inspired by true events, Alabama Story brims with humor, heartbreak, and hope.CAST:Garth Williams: Dave DeChristopherLily Whitfield: Darsha DodgeJoshua Moore: Dane FloydSenator E.W. Higgins: Jakob EnzmingerEmily Wheelock Reed: Carmen VillaThomas Franklin: Dillon BurtonBobby Crone: Rodney SwendenerPasserby: Oleksandr KuliasFor tickets and more information: https://www.bhct.org/alabama-story.html
May 04 Saturday
May 05 Sunday
May 10 Friday
May 11 Saturday