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Taylor Randall as Lady Billows in Albert Herring

On Thursday and Saturday, November 12^th and 14^th, the first two acts of Benjamin Britten’s opera ALBERT HERRING will be presented by The Presbyterian College Opera Workshop. All performances are open to the public.

ALBERT HERRING is a lively and comedic chamber opera, in many ways reminiscent of operettas of Gilbert & Sullivan with its farcical portrayal of prim and proper Victorian life. Like many of Britten’s other famous operas, this work explores society’s response to an “odd individual." And it is a genuine 20^th century opera, having premiered at the Glyndebourne Festival in 1947.

A brief synopsis: The overbearing town matriarch, Lady Billows (Taylor Randall, soprano), seeing morality decay in the mythical East Suffolk town of Loxford, decides to revive the tradition of electing a "May Queen" to extol the virtues of leading a chaste and modest life. The town council comprised of the Vicar (Raymond Orr, baritone), School Mistress (guest artist, Jenna Tamisiea, soprano), Police Superintendent (Andrew McCully, bass-baritone), and Mayor (Alex Rumer, tenor) along with Laby Billow’s assistant Florence (Carly Wicklund, mezzo-soprano) convene to offer their suggestions.

When not one virtuous girl can be found in the whole of East Suffolk, the decision is made to elect a "May King." Albert Herring (Andrew Morehead, tenor), the meek green-grocer’s son, is identified as the only suitable possibility. Horrified that he has been identified as perhaps the only virtuous young adult in town, the sheltered Albert reluctantly accepts, due in no small part to the prodding of his overprotective mother (Emily Monk, mezzo-soprano).

Sid, the butcher's assistant, (Spencer Hardee, baritone) and his girlfriend Nancy (Jamie Poag, mezzo-soprano) feel badly for Albert. Sid decides to spike Albert's lemonade with naval rum at the May festival, hoping that it may loosen him up. After an embarrassing episode of hiccups, and ridicule by the town children (John Mark Elliott, Chloe Radford & Michelle Hughes), Albert drunkenly returns home, and makes a fateful decision that changes his destiny.

The opera is conducted and directed by Dr. Christian Elser, along with professional guest artist, Ms. Jenna Tamisiea. Mr. Alan Rudell will be accompanying on piano. This work will be performed in the original English, with English supertitles projected above the stage. Performances are at 7:30 pm in Edmunds Hall, November 12 & 14. This is a ticketed event and tickets are $5. Tickets will be available at the door, or call (864) 833-8470 for reservations.