Bethel University Magazine Fall 2021

For tickets and more information about upcoming performances, visit BethelUniversity.edu/Tickets. 12 %(7+(/81,9(56,7< ('8̌0$*$=,1( A Reunion and Retrospective Twenty-one alumni from the last 20 years returned to perform scenes from nine operas. “I thoroughly enjoyed performing in La Canterina in college and have loved returning as an assistant director ... It’s been a delight to work with the students and assist Rob.” – Sarah Leigh Beason ’16 Ţ, VDQJ ZLWK DQG FRQVHTXHQWO\ IHOO IRU -LPP\ %HQQHWW IRU WKH ƃUVW WLPH GXULQJ RXU ƃUVW 2SHUDWLF Irregulars production together, 'Così fan tutte.' By the time we performed opposite one another in our second, 'The Marriage of Figaro,' we were engaged. Thanks, Rob!” – Katie Bennett ‘13 Pictured: (at top) The entire cast of the 2021 performance; (at right) the Bennetts in a reunion performance of "Così fan tutte." This year was the 20th anniversary of Operatic Irregulars. Rob Rhein, D.M.A., associate professor of music at Bethel University, is the creator and mastermind behind the annual event. Instead of a large production, Rhein focuses on chamber operas, which are smaller and shorter than normal operas. “It was my idea 20 years ago and there was nothing like it that H[LVWHG ţ 5KHLQ VD\V Rhein plays the piano while students sing the whole play through, like a musical, but there is no dialogue. The productions are not audition-based, but rather by invitation from Rhein. He selects the operas and students who might be interested simultaneously. “It’s kind of a puzzle for me,” Rhein says. “The students don’t get FUHGLW IRU LW ,WŠV DQ H[WUD OLWWOH DFWLYLW\ ţ 7KH DQQXDO HYHQW KDSSHQV WKH ZHHNHQG D̃HU /DERU 'D\ 7KLV year's performances were Sept. 10 and 11 in the Everest-Rohrer Auditorium. To celebrate two decades, Rhein invited alumni to participate in the show. Only two of this year’s performers were current Bethel VWXGHQWV 7KH UHVW ZHUH DOXPQL ŝ VRPH UHWXUQLQJ D̃HU PRUH WKDQ D decade. The performances generally consist of two to three shows, spanning WR PLQXWHV LQ OHQJWK DQG IHDWXUH D VPDOO FDVW VRPH KDYLQJ only two singers. But for this year’s performance, 21 alumni from the last 20 years returned to perform scenes from nine operas. “I have been delighted with the response from students over the years,” Rhein said. “Some have gone on to get major opera H[SHULHQFH >DQG@ , FDQ VD\ ş:HOO WKH\ JRW WKHLU ƃUVW RSHUD H[SHULHQFH LQ PLQLDWXUH DW %HWKHO LQ 2SHUDWLF ,UUHJXODUV Šţ Sadie Seward ’23, is a Communications major and a writer on the VWDƂ RI %HWKHOŠV VWXGHQW QHZVSDSHU 7KH %HDFRQ 7KLV VWRU\ ZDV DGDSWHG IURP D VWRU\ SXEOLVKHG LQ 7KH %HDFRQ CAMPUS L I FE THE ARTS Operatic Irregulars Celebrates 20th Anniversary BY 4"%*& 4&ǫ"3% d