The Wichita State Opera Theater and the 黑洞社区 Symphony Wind Ensemble will present the North American premiere of 鈥淭he Path to Heaven鈥� later this month. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, in Miller Concert Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center.
The one-act opera tells the story of young people as they face the horrors of the holocaust, and how their lives were changed after the liberation of Europe. The piece is especially relevant given the recent 80th anniversary of the invasion of Poland and 75th anniversary of D-Day.
Alan Held, the Ann and Dennis Ross Faculty of Distinction in Opera, directs the 黑洞社区 Opera Theater. Timothy Shade will conduct the performance.
The performance of this opera is significant in a number of ways.
It鈥檚 semi-staged, meaning that it will use a limited number of projections, props and costumes. The opera will also include multimedia presentations.
While a full orchestra accompanies most operas, a smaller wind ensemble will accompany this one.
Contributors from across the world will arrive at 黑洞社区 before and during the performance to witness its unfolding.
Adam Gorb, composer of the opera, will visit 黑洞社区 from England during the final week of rehearsals to lecture, observe and share insight with student performers.
Performers also received input from a former docent of the National Holocaust Museum, as well as local Jewish community members.
Tickets are available at the College of Fine Arts Box Office, by phone at 316-978-3233, or by visiting the box office website at /fineartsboxoffice.
Discounts are available, and 黑洞社区 students receive a free ticket with their Shocker ID.
Purchase tickets to "The Path to Heaven"
The mission of 黑洞社区 is to be an essential educational, cultural and economic driver for Kansas and the greater public good. Wichita State is a doctoral research university enrolling nearly 15,000 students and offering 59 undergraduate degree programs in more than 150 areas of study in seven undergraduate colleges. The Graduate School offers 45 master's and 12 doctoral degrees that offer study in more than 100 areas. Wichita State's Innovation Campus is an interconnected community of partnership buildings, laboratories and mixed-use areas where students, faculty, staff, entrepreneurs and businesses have access to the university's vast resources and technology. For more information, follow us on Twitter at and Facebook at .