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UMSL Opera Theatre Presents 'The Clever Artifice Of Harriet And Margaret' This Weekend

Madeleine James
Danny Reise | UMSL Opera Theatre
Madeleine James rehearses a scene in this weekend's UMSL Opera Theatre production.
UMSL Opera Theatre cast members rehearse a scene from their upcoming show.
Credit Evie Hemphill | St. Louis Public Radio
UMSL Opera Theatre cast members rehearse a scene from their upcoming show.

Updated March 13 with notice of event cancellation

In light of recent developments and an abundance of caution related to the coronavirus, this weekend's student opera performances have been cancelled. There are hopes of the events taking place sometime in the future. Visit the UMSL Department of Music's events page for updates.

Original story from March 12:

Vocal performance students at the University of Missouri-St. Louis have tackled classic operatic works over the past decade through UMSL Opera Theatre, an ensemble led by faculty member Stella Markou.

In 2011, UMSL Opera Theatre presented “The Marriage of Figaro,” and, two years ago, the group’s “Pirates of Penzance” tied for first place in a National Opera Association production competition.

But this weekend, the student performers are showcasing a more contemporary work at the campus’ Touhill Performing Arts Center. Titled “The Clever Artifice of Harriet and Margaret,” it’s a one-act chamber opera from composer Leanna Kirchoff that’s been described as a “cat-and-mouse conversation between two rivals.”

From left, Lexi Neal and Stella Markou joined Thursday's talk show.
Credit Evie Hemphill | St / Evie Hemphill | St. Louis Public Radio
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Evie Hemphill | St. Louis Public Radio
From left, Lexi Neal and Stella Markou joined Thursday's talk show.

On Thursday’s St. Louis on the Air, host Sarah Fenske got a preview of the show from Markou, who is an associate professor of music and the director of vocal studies at UMSL.

The conversation included upperclassman Lexi Neal, who has a leading role in the production.

In addition to the on-air discussion, this segment featured highlights from a recent rehearsal by the cast.

Take a listen:

Related Event
What: UMSL Opera Theatre presents “The Clever Artifice of Harriet and Margaret”
When: 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 13-15
Where: Touhill Performing Arts Center (1 University Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63121)
NOTE: A question-and-answer session will begin 45 minutes prior to each performance.

St. Louis on the Air” brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region. The show is hosted by Sarah Fenske and produced by Alex Heuer, Emily Woodbury, Evie Hemphill, Lara Hamdan and Joshua Phelps. The engineer is Aaron Doerr, and production assistance is provided by Charlie McDonald.

Send questions and comments about this story to feedback@stlpublicradio.org.

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Evie was a producer for "St. Louis on the Air" at St. Louis Public Radio.