This interview originally aired on "In the Moment" on SDPB Radio.
Opera students at the University of South Dakota will lend their voices to a world-premiere opera commissioned by their university this week.
"Notes on Viardot" is an original opera composed by Michael Ching and starring professional vocalist Marlise Ahuna in the title role.
Tracelyn Gesteland is a professor of music at the University of South Dakota and the director and producer of "Notes on Viardot."
She says it's "practically unheard of" for a university program of their size to put on a commissioned work of this scope.
Gesteland also discusses how commissioning an opera meant the university was able to ask for a female-focused script and production. Many operas include more male parts than female, making it difficult to cast parts when the university has more women than men in their program.
Ching tackled the request and wrote a story centered on a real opera composer and performer from the 19th century, Pauline Viardot.
We learn more about the technical challenges of operatic performances and how students and professionals can make their musical marks through a world premiere.
"Notes on Viardot" is April 27 and 28 at the University of South Dakota. Learn more about tickets.
