Given the opportunity to mount their own opera, SFCM vocal students have taken the bull by the horns.  "These are roles that we wanted to sing, and we did our research and it turns out that there are quite a few opera companies mounting Così in their upcoming seasons. Having the opportunity to perform these roles in a staged version with orchestra is going to be so beneficial for our careers," says soprano Kim Hawley '16, who was the driving force behind this production; she will sing the role of Fiordiligi. "Having Marcie Stapp, who is a renowned vocal coach, as our faculty advisor and champion has been integral to the entire project!"

"Putting on an opera is a huge undertaking," explains faculty advisor Stapp. "It requires a great deal of initiative from these students, from coordinating rehearsals to studying the roles and preparing the recitative portions."

Stapp speaks from experience, as her involvement with Così fan tutte began when Hawley approached her with the concept back in September. The project eventually evolved into a Winter Term class. "I think Così is what Winter Term was all about," Stapp says. "It's the perfect opportunity to mount student-driven projects that help the participants further their professional development and stoke a little passion along the way."  

This modern-day production will take place in San Francisco. "Così lends itself to the contemporary feel that we've given our production," says Hawley. "We all collaborated with our director, Sarah Young, on our characters' motivations in order to create our setting."

"I think the audience will be so impressed with this production," says Stapp. "This is more than a student opera. I think this inventive production goes beyond what one thinks of when you hear the words ‘student production.'"

There is still an opportunity to lend your support for this ambitious undertaking, as Hawley and crew have taken to the popular crowd-funding site INDIEGOGO to help with the costs of a harpsichordist, a concertmaster, and a lighting designer for the production. They are two-thirds of the way to their goal, and any assistance in helping Così find its way onstage would be greatly appreciated.