Michael Carlyle
  • mathematics and German
  • Class of 2013
  • Belvidere, IL

Michael Carlyle dramatizes World War I Christmas ceasefire in Opera@Augustana

2010 Nov 3

Augustana's opera singers will present a touching and poignant new opera, "Truce of Carols," at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, through Sunday, Nov. 22, in Wallenberg Hall at Denkmann Memorial Building (3520 7th Ave.). The opera takes place in the Belgian trenches of World War I and is based on true accounts of the 1914 Christmas ceasefire between German and English troops.

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Michael Carlyle, a first year from Belvidere, IL majoring in liberal studies.

On Christmas Eve in 1914, German soldiers began decorating their trenches, lighting candles and singing Christmas carols. British soldiers responded with their own carols, and soon soldiers from both sides were crossing "no man's land" to exchange small gifts. Artillery fire ceased for the night, allowing recently fallen soldiers to be brought back behind lines and given proper burials. The characters in "Truce of Carols" are based on accounts from real soldiers.

Opera@Augustana will be the second group to perform "Truce of Carols," which was composed by Michael Taylor and premiered under his direction in 2009 in the San Francisco Bay area. Taylor has been editing the score in anticipation of Augustana's production and will be present for the Saturday and Sunday performances.

Augustana's performance will emphasize the historical aspects of the opera. Dr. David Ellis, associate professor of history, will speak briefly before each performance to help the audience place the play in its historical context. A multimedia presentation showing images of the European war front also will contribute to the atmosphere.

Dr. John Pfautz, professor of voice and the opera's director and producer, believes the opera provides an important message of peace. "We hope that the humanity of this historical moment will speak especially loudly in this political climate of viciousness, hatred and exclusionary thinking," he said.

Pfautz founded Opera@Augustana shortly after coming to Augustana in 1987 and has performed as the featured tenor soloist in operas throughout the United States. He likes this opera for its sensitive depiction of soldiers on both sides, "making it clear that all of the soldiers believed they were doing the best thing for their country."

The lead roles will be sung by professional singers Christopher Scott, visiting artist at Augustana, and Gregory Lewis, voice instructor at Bradley University. Augustana students will sing other prominent characters. A small orchestra conducted by Augustana's Dr. David Davies, assistant professor of music, will accompany the singers.

Elyssa LeMay '14 will sing one of the lead female roles. LeMay says she has never acted in an opera before but has sung arias for voice competitions and private lessons. "My favorite part of the show is being with the people," she says. "Everyone has a great time, not just with the cast members, but the director and accompanists as well. We are all a big family."

"Truce of Carols" is the first of a series of musical festivities at Augustana during the Christmas season. The annual "Christmas at Augustana" holiday concert features performances by Augustana's premier choir, band and orchestra on Friday, Dec. 3, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 4, at 4 p.m. The public event will be held in Centennial Hall (3703 7th Ave.). Tickets are available at www.augustana.edu/tickets or by calling (309) 794-7306.

The Handel Oratorio Society, a choir that combines the vocal talents of Augustana students and Quad-City community members, will perform Handel's Messiah on Saturday, Dec. 11, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 12, at 2 p.m. in continuation of an annual tradition started in 1879. The public event will be held in Centennial Hall (3703 7th Ave.). Tickets are available at www.augustana.edu/tickets or by calling (309) 794-7306.

The Augustana Chamber Singers and Office of Campus Ministries will present Lessons and Carols on Thursday, Dec. 17, at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. This beautiful Christmas service chronicles Christ's birth through songs and readings in Ascension Chapel (820 38th St.). This event is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Andrew Walter at clydeandrewwalter@augustana.edu or (309) 794-7833.