Lincoln, Neb.--Two Glenn Korff School of Music alumni, who first collaborated on opera productions at Nebraska, are reuniting for Viterbo University’s upcoming production of “The Marriage of Figaro.”
“Mozart’s ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ offers a wonderful balance of comedy, seriousness and relevant social commentary, threaded together with some of the greatest music ever written,” said James Wilson (D.M.A. 2010), who is the director of choral studies at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and is the music director for the opera.
Soprano Jeni Houser (M.M. 2011), who has sung with the Metropolitan Opera, Minnesota Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, among others, will be guest directing the opera. Performances are Feb. 21-23.
Wilson was eager to collaborate again with his fellow Nebraska alum.
“We immediately thought about inviting Jeni to come and direct the show because she had worked with our students on a masterclass and opera scenes project the previous year,” Wilson said. “We have stayed in touch since graduating from UNL and knowing she lived only two hours away in Madison, we thought it would be a fantastic opportunity to invite a friend and Met opera singer to work with our students.”
Houser did a residency at Viterbo last year.
“I worked with voice students one-on-one, gave a public masterclass and also worked with students on their opera scenes,” she said. “It felt like a moment of kismet when I realized James was at Viterbo, and we would have the chance to reconnect during my residency. Shortly after that time, he and other folks at Viterbo floated the idea of inviting me back to direct their show this year, and I jumped at the opportunity to collaborate with James after all these years.”
Wilson was at Nebraska from 2007-2010 and during that time, he assisted in the musical preparation of several UNL opera productions, including Verdi’s “Rigoletto” in 2009 and Rorem’s “Our Town” in 2010. Both productions featured Houser in leading roles.
“Although our roles have changed, our collaborative efforts remain essentially the same,” Wilson said. “Jeni and I share a similar mindset, prioritizing the music, the story, and the student experience above all else. We aren’t about inserting excessive personality or ego into the process, instead we focus on efficiently producing a show within a very tight timeframe and having as much fun as possible throughout the journey.”
Wilson said the timing of Houser to direct was right.
“Our small liberal arts school is fortunate to have a ‘super pro’ directing our production,” he said.
Houser is enjoying working with the students.
“Working with the students at Viterbo is pure joy,” she said. “They are full of creative energy and are enjoying tackling this huge opera.”
Houser is no stranger to “The Marriage of Figaro.”
“I’ve performed the role of Susanna twice—once in the classic Mozart opera and once in an opera by Marcos Portugal, which is based on the same Beaumarchais play,” she said. “And my introduction to this opera was actually as music director for a scene from it (the Act II finale—an iconic 20-minute romp) during my undergrad years, and I was hooked immediately. My conducting notes are still in the score I’m using for this production.”
William Shomos, the Richard H. Larson Distinguished Professor of Music (Voice) and Director of Opera in the Glenn Korff School of Music, is thrilled about their collaboration.
“This gives me so much joy to know that two of my all-time favorite humans who ever passed through the Glenn Korff School of Music threshold are working together on this best-of-the-best operas, he said. “What lucky students at Viterbo to have Jeni and James leading the production! I will always remember how they both were gifted with natural talent, imaginative curiosity, impeccable work ethics and kindness beyond measure. Our University is honored to count them among its alumni.”
Wilson said his time in the Glenn Korff School of Music was invaluable to his career.
“The University of Nebraska–Lincoln opera program provided me with a diverse skillset that has been invaluable to my career as a professor at small liberal arts institutions, where I am required to manage a variety of concerts and productions,” he said. “Under the guidance of Peter Eklund and Therees Hibbard, I gained the necessary skills to work with high school choirs, festival choruses, symphonic choruses, community choirs and collegiate choirs. Additionally, my private studies with Tyler White in orchestral score reading and Bill Shomos in opera prepared me to conduct large choral orchestral works, collegiate opera productions and serve as assistant director of the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra. The opportunities afforded to me by the Glenn Korff School of Music faculty have significantly contributed to my multifaceted career in music and music education.”
He remembers his time at Nebraska with fondness.
“We made some really great music during those years,” Wilson said. “UNL is where I learned to conduct with artistry and clarity.”
