Misunderstandings and comic intrigue run rampant in The Merry Widow, but putting on a successful opera in a two-week timeline is serious business. 

That's just what SFCM's Voice, Opera and Musical Theatre Departments did in their annual Winter Term collaboration project, which features a cast of all undergraduate students.  

"The Merry Widow has always meant a lot to me," said student Clara Abrahams, who studies with Rhoslyn Jones. "It has been my favorite opera since I was a little girl and my dad and I would constantly watch and listen to recordings and play the score together at the piano." 

Clara Abrahams.

During two productions Clara Abrahams and Mumtoz Ochilova each performed the title character of Hanna. A wealthy young widow from a poverty-stricken country whose economy depends on her marrying a local. "Hanna Glawari was my first ever title role!" Ochilova (also studying with Jones) said. "It was very vocally and intentionally demanding, but I loved the music, singing, acting and dancing—everything!"

This annual cross-departmental project takes place in Winter Term, when students don't have other academic commitments and can focus entirely on putting on a full-scale production in a short amount of time. "That kind of intensive, immersive experience mirrors the professional world in a way that's rare in conservatory training," Jones, one of the Voice faculty members behind the annual project, said. Conductor Dana Sadava assembled an all-student chamber orchestra, while graduate students provided stage management, hair, and makeup support as part of their Winter Term projects.

The ensemble cast performs with orchestra students.

"Not many schools offer anything comparable," Jones added. "Certainly not with this timeline, and not with the opportunity for graduate students and instrumentalists to participate alongside undergraduates. And perhaps most importantly, our students get to perform full roles that they can add to their professional resumes. That's an invaluable career-building opportunity that simply doesn't exist at most institutions."

Other faculty behind the annual project include Director of Opera and Musical Theatre and Chair Heather Mathews. "The Merry Widow is a happy, joyful piece, but it is no walk in the park," Mathews said. "It demands refined vocalism, the ability to communicate text clearly with comic timing, and a high level of dance and physical storytelling." 

SFCM undergraduates perform in "The Merry Widow."

"These experiences often become touchstones that students return to years later," Mathews added. "When they step into professional rehearsal rooms and realize, 'Oh, that's right, I've done this before. I know what to do.'"

In recent years the undergraduate Winter Term operas have included productions of Mozart's The Magic Flute, the premiere of Jodi Goble's Meow and Forever and Henry Purcell's Dido and Aeneas. 

This year it also brought in guest artist-in-residence Opus 3 Artist Heidi Melton to serve as assistant director and dialogue coach. Melton also gave a masterclass to students. First acquired in 2020, Opus 3 Artists is part of SFCM's Alliance of industry leading partners that benefit the student experience. Askonas Holt and Pentatone Records round out the unique team. 

"The Merry Widow" featured acting, singing, and dancing.

The project's purpose is not only to highlight undergraduates, but teach everyone to work as a team. "Everyone needs to be at the top of their game for the production to succeed,"Jones said. "There are no small roles in opera—everyone has an important and vital job in making the show work."

"It's been the privilege of my life to be part of this winter term opera," Abrahams added. "This role has been one of my greatest wishes and getting to be able to perform it in my senior year of undergrad was a dream come true."

Clara Abrahams in "The Merry Widow."

Emotions were also high for Ochilova, who said she struggled to hold back tears during her performance because of how proud she was of everyone involved. "I can't describe it with words. But I had to get it together and sing the next line. I was afraid crying would affect my singing but it made it a beautiful moment that I will remember for the rest of my life."

While the experience was invaluable for the student artists, there's one more thing Jones wants to make sure is clear. "I also hope they had a really fun time," she said. "And perhaps forged friendships with their fellow undergraduates. Some of my closest friendships in this business started in productions just like this one."

Learn more about Voice, Opera Studies, and Opera and Musical Theatre at SFCM. 
Learn more about Winter Term at SFCM.