Opera Project Columbus to debut with 'Suor Angelica'

Several months ago, a friend of Heather Spence told the singer she’d had a dream in which Spence was singing Puccini’s Suor Angelica in the St. Turibius Chapel at the Pontifical College Josephinum.

This weekend that dream will come true, as Opera Project Columbus will make its debut performance.

Earlier this week, Spence, who is singing the title role and who is a co-founder of Opera Project Columbus, told The Beat she was filled with “nervous anticipation.” She said discussions that had grown out of her initial conversation with this friend resulted in a kind of “why not” approach, and that the production would closely resemble the original vision.

The cast includes 16 singers, all local and many friends of Spence.

“There are so many amazing singers in Columbus,” she said, adding that the singers include professionals and semi-professionals, vocal teachers and graduate and undergraduate college students.

A 28-piece orchestra will perform, as well.

It was through another friend that Spence was able to connect with the organization’s music director, former Columbus Symphony Orchestra maestro Alessandro Siciliani.

Suor Angelica will be staged concert-style, with the singers on stage with the orchestra and with minimal staging.

Spence said this fit with the vision, as well, to provide more opportunities for singers without the requirements of a fully staged opera.

Featured cast members include Spence, Elise DeChamps and Carolyn Redman. The remaining roles will be sung by Melinda Green, Jennifer Marcellana, Claire Hogan, Susan Folk, Kristen Pino, Kathlene Conley, Jessiga Vargo, McKenna Klontz, Kristen Kurivial, Dione Bennett, Cynthia Schultz, Maria Khrakovsky and Hannah Miner.

The production will be presented at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 21 and 22. Tickets are $30, $25 for senior citizens and students.

For more information and tickets, visit www.operaprojectcolumbus.org.