Four nights, four locations
Working closely with the University of South Carolina Palmetto College Chancellor, Susan Elkins, and Executive Vice Chancellor of Academic and Students Affairs, Walter Collins, as well as with the dean and marketing leaderships of each campus, Opera at USC will present Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi on four consecutive nights at four separate locations.
The idea is the brainchild of Opera at USC director Ellen Douglas Schlaefer.
Schlaefer and several of her peers in the School of Music developed ideas for “traveling” their performances to various venues to align with the School of Music’s 2024-25 Centennial celebration themes. She chose to highlight Puccini this season because the legendary composer passed in 1924, the same year the music program was founded.
“Ellen came forward with a particularly brilliant, thoughtful, and collaborative idea for the Opera—to produce a well-known entertaining, and musically substantial one-act opera at the Palmetto College campuses of USC — Columbia, Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter,” says Tayloe Harding, Dean, USC School of Music.
He says the idea focuses on featuring music-making by current students and faculty, as well as alums and emeritus faculty, all for the benefit of the entire South Carolina music constellation and beyond.
“I’m excited our students can share this delightful work with students and audiences of other campuses after three successful performances in Columbia,” says Schlaefer. “I love to see these young people tell stories with music and embrace music that is often difficult to learn, especially when balancing other commitments, such as academics, jobs, and other ensembles and performances.”
We at Opera at USC are tremendously excited to share our celebration of drama through singing with the USC satellite campuses in Puccini’s uproarious classic Gianni Schicchi.
— Ross Wiley, ’25 M.M., Opera Theater Performance
Enriching communities
Connecting student performance groups like Opera at USC with locations outside of South Carolina’s Midlands is key to the school’s mission of fostering an awareness of the role of music in society.
“Chief to this focus has been the intention of the student and faculty groups in the School of Music on the “beyond” part — getting outside Columbia, spreading musical joy and wonder to as many folks outside our regular reach as we can, honoring the alumni and friends we have throughout our state, our region, the US and in Europe in the process,” says Harding.
Opera at USC’s regional tour aims to reach areas of South Carolina where cultural experiences are sometimes limited.
“The performance of Gianni Schicchi is a truly significant event for our campus and the wider Salkehatchie region. In a rural area like ours, access to high-quality cultural experiences, particularly opera, is rare,” says Stephanie Gruber, Coordinator of Communications and Marketing at USC Salkehatchie. “This performance isn’t just entertainment; it’s an opportunity to enrich the lives of our students and community, exposing them to the beauty and power of classical music and theatrical storytelling.”
The production is a natural fit for Palmetto College campuses eager to expand their
enrichment programs. Some, like USC Lancaster, are adding Gianni Schicchi to their cultural series.
“Lancaster County is home to a rich network of enthusiastic music lovers, many of whom do not have regular opportunities to attend an opera production. The upcoming visit by the USC School of Music's Opera Theatre has generated considerable buzz in our community and will surely be a highlight of our spring cultural activities. Furthermore, it will attract attention to our recently established Lancaster Performance Series, an annual season of musical performances presented on our campus. We are grateful to the USC School of Music for bringing their production to Lancaster,” says Conner Austell, Assistant Professor of Music at USC Lancaster.
Inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy, Italian composer Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi depicts the life of a scheming yet ingenious peasant who tries to cash in on an old man changing the will and securing a payoff for his daughter’s wedding. Students involved in the opera agree this one-act opera offers ‘something for everyone.’
“Gianni Schicchi is a timeless classic, whether in 1299 or 1924! This is my third production of Gianni Schicchi, and I often refer to this opera as my ‘reason why.’ Every time I perform this work, I am transported to the realm of endless creative possibilities. I fall in love with music all over again,” says Brian L. Fenderson (third-year doctoral candidate, voice performance).
Opera graduate assistant Madison Supino agrees. She says the tour celebrates what makes opera so wonderful.
“Opera is such a collaborative art form that could not function without even one of its parts. An essential part of that whole is the audience and the community that stems from the connection it brings,” says Supino (master’s candidate, opera stage directing).
Master’s opera theatre performance candidate Ross Wiley says opera's magic lies in its ability to engage the audience’s hearts and minds with beautiful music and gripping storytelling.
“What sets opera apart from spoken drama is its fixation on the power of the human voice — in the vocal feats its singers perform every night on stage,” explains Wiley.
“I believe I can speak on behalf of the cast when I say this tour will be life-changing. I believe peer mentorship and learning from colleagues enhance our collaborative development in the visual and performing arts,” adds Fenderson.
Gianni Schicchi will be performed at the four regional campuses of Palmetto College: USC Salkehatchie (March 29), USC Union (March 30), USC Lancaster (March 31) and USC Sumter (April 1). All shows are at 7:30 p.m.
“Gianni Schicchi is a delightful opera! This is my third time performing this opera, and each time, I’ve had a different role. Each role has brought new insights and laughs,” says Austin Means (’24 master’s, opera theater performance). “I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!”
About Opera at USC
Opera at USC offers a comprehensive program for graduate and undergraduate students. It covers every facet of opera production, both on stage and behind the scenes. Singers, directors, pianists, conductors, marketing and public relations students, and theatrical technicians get expert teaching and intensive hands-on experience in their respective crafts.
Opera at USC is one of only a handful of colleges and universities nationwide that offers special training and practice for aspiring opera stage directors. The ensemble presents two fully staged operas with orchestra each year and a one-act opera, often with a graduate stage director. Roles are open to undergraduates and graduates.
Director Ellen Schlaefer has been on the School of Music’s faculty for 20 years. With her extensive experience as a stage manager and director, including 14 seasons at the Washington Opera (now the Washington National Opera) and 14 seasons with The Santa Fe Opera, Schlaefer aims to provide students with a professional experience by emphasizing collaboration and experiential learning.
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