TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

BY SUSAN SCAFFIDI

Contributing writer

College is supposed to present a challenge to students. Students in the CSUB opera program will get to meet theirs this weekend, as the music department presents the full-length opera "Albert Herring" in the Dore Theater.

Written by 20th century English composer Benjamin Britten, "Albert Herring" is a coming-of-age comedy set in the fictional town of Loxford, which is more or less run by Lady Billows. Scandalized by young people's behavior, Lady Billows decides to encourage propriety by reviving the annual May Day festival, only to be horrified when the town can't produce any "maidens" to be the May Queen.

In desperation, the town decides to have a "May King," settling on the only "maiden" available -- 17-year-old Albert Herring, who is ruled by his domineering mother. Events get a bit out of control when Albert's friends spike his lemonade with rum to give him courage to face the event.

Britten, who became a major force in opera with "Peter Grimes" and "The Rape of Lucretia," wrote "Albert Herring" in 1947 for the English Opera Group, a chamber opera company Britten founded with some of his colleagues. It includes 13 singers and 13 instrumentalists in the orchestra, making this a serious challenge to all the performers.

"Britten's idea was to write an opera that could be performed by a small company with modest means," said Peggy Sears, who directs the CSUB opera program.

Sears said the spotlight on each of the performers -- vocal and instrumental -- was a factor in choosing the work.

"This, plus the fact that it is a coming-of-age story, makes it perfect for our small, mostly undergraduate program at CSUB," Sears said.

Sears said her students were ready for a challenge.

"They're dying to see what it would be to do something challenging -- they're ready for it," Sears said. "It's a completely different kind of challenge, dramatically, musically, aside from the normal challenge of singing an opera."

When asked about performing music by Benjamin Britten, most classical musicians will respond, "Well, it's Britten."

It is difficult music, melodic, but unconventional, rhythmically and harmonically complex, and, in the case of his operas, dramatically demanding as well. But Sears said that's not what the audience will notice.

"All they'll see is all the colors of the orchestra, all the colors of the singers, who have such dramatic impact," Sears said. "That's all they're going to see and all they should see."

The CSUB production includes Elizabeth Provencio as Lady Billows; Kristen Falls as her housekeeper, Flora; Scott Deaton as the mayor; Lawrence Lyons as the vicar; Ashten Smith as Miss Wordsworth, the teacher; Daniel Musquez as the superintendent of police; Jessica Trevino as Nancy, the baker's daughter; Robert Hamilton, as Sid, the butcher's assistant; Adrianna Medel as Mrs. Herring; Tori Provencio, Anna Baker and Jenna Foth as three schoolgirls; and David Ortiz as Albert.

The opera orchestra is being conducted by Ron Kean, Bakersfield College choral director who is also Sears' husband. Joel Haney will present a lecture on the opera starting at 7:15 p.m. in the Albertson Room in the Dore Theater.

The CSUB opera program presents a full-length production every three years, with opera scenes presented in the intervening years. Sears notes that as she is nearing retirement, "Albert Herring" may be her last full opera production.

"If it's my last opera, this would be perfect," Sears said.