The Wexner Center for the Arts at The Ohio State University is set to host an opera unlike any other, an adaptation of Ernest Hemingway's "The Old Man and the Sea," on October 10 and 12. This isn't your typical aria affair, the opera fuses cinematic video design with a score that leans into immersion, much like an art installation. According to the Ohio State News, the 90-minute operatic experience crafted by Paola Prestini, Royce Vavrek, and Karmina Šilec, navigates through themes of aging, legacy, and our connection with the sea.
Elena Perantoni, the senior producer at Wexner, got to see the performance last year and was "floored," per her interview with Ohio State News. It's a contemporary take that pushes the boundaries of traditional opera, aiming to comment on the state of our current existence. And while the staging utilizes pools of water, spectators can rest easy without fear of a splash zone. Beth Morrison Projects has it all figured out, keeping tech equipment safe from any potential aquatic mishaps.
Julia Noulin-Mérat, general director and CEO of Opera Columbus, expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration with the Wexner Center, noting the production's residence at the crossroads of opera, film, and contemporary art. It's a synergy that could only have come to fruition through key partnerships, both internal and external, including the School of Music and the Office of Academic Affairs. "This breathtaking production is a perfect extension of the many ways in which the Wexner Center for the Arts supports students and faculty," said Gaëtane Verna, executive director of the Wexner Center, in a release provided by Ohio State News.
Local engagement is neither a new concept nor an overlooked aspect of this production, with a portion of the chorus cast locally, including students and community members with connections to the university. Sidra Bell, graduate research associate in the university’s dance department and member of The Wex's presenting team, highlighted that each city's rendition adds its own flavor to the show. The opera also doubles as an academic and creative endeavor for Bell herself, who told Ohio State News about the harmony between her coursework and her involvement in the production. Bell attests to the innovative spirit of Ohio State, particularly in the realm of dance, which has bolstered her appreciation of opera from an academic lens.
As Columbus gears up for its version of the sea-faring tale, audience members can look forward to an opera that defies the conventional, marrying the classical narrative to cutting-edge production techniques, a reflection of the staging's intricate dance with innovation and tradition.
