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'Mayo' opera to be presented in Potsdam

Posted 10/31/18

POTSDAM -- SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music is preparing to host the world premiere of a new opera, "Mayo," by composer Tom Cipullo. The Crane Opera Ensemble and Orchestra will unveil its full …

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'Mayo' opera to be presented in Potsdam

Posted

POTSDAM -- SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music is preparing to host the world premiere of a new opera, "Mayo," by composer Tom Cipullo.

The Crane Opera Ensemble and Orchestra will unveil its full production of the Pellicciotti Prize-winning work in a series of performances and special events, from Nov. 8 to 11.

Based on a true story, "Mayo" follows the life of Mayo Buckner, who was committed to the Iowa Home for Feeble-Minded Children at the age of eight, and forged a life of quiet dignity and meaning while living there for the next 60 years. Cipullo was the recipient of the 2018 Domenic J. Pellicciotti Opera Composition Prize, for which he received a $25,000 commission to complete his winning operatic work.

In a production led by Stage Director Dean Anthony and Music Director Kirk Severtson, the Crane Opera Ensemble will bring Buckner's story to life -- and in the process, shed light on America's tragic infatuation with eugenics in the early 20th century.

The student cast and orchestra will be joined by two notable guest artists.

The rising baritone Ben Edquist will play the title role of Mayo Buckner, while Crane School of Music alumna Lisa Vroman '79, soprano, will portray Miss Goodrich.

Edward "Eddy" Baker, 9, a third grader at Lawrence Avenue Elementary School in Potsdam, will play the role of Young Mayo.

Other North Country students who are part of the cast and crew include Alec House-Baillargeon of Harrisville who will be playing the roles of Third Eugenicist/Peter/Chorus; Rebecca Hasenauer of Norfolk who is a member of the wardrobe production crew; and Shannon Boyle of Potsdam who will be playing harp in the orchestra.

"Mayo" will be presented on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 9 and 10, at 7:30 p.m., and on Sunday, Nov. 11 at 3 p.m., in the Sara M. Snell Music Theater.

A gala reception will be held in the Performing Arts Center lobby following the Friday evening opening night performance.

In addition, there will be an educational outreach performance for students from area schools on Thursday, Nov. 8 (tickets are available by reservation only).

There will also be several special events over the course of the weekend.

On Friday, Nov. 9, there will be an in-depth look at "The Making of 'Mayo,'" in a free session at 1 p.m., in the Ralph Wakefield Recital Hall.

On Saturday, Nov. 10, there will be two panel discussions, including "Social Justice Issues in American Opera," at 10 a.m., and "Creating New Operas and Young Singer Training," at 11:30 a.m.

Both events will take place in Bishop Hall Room C101.

Tickets for the Crane Opera Ensemble production of "Mayo" are $15 for the general public and $10 for SUNY Potsdam faculty, staff and students. To purchase tickets, contact the Community Performance Series Box Office, located in the lobby of SUNY Potsdam's Performing Arts Center, by calling 315-267-2277 or visiting www.cpspotsdam.org.