Music student to perform in opera

If you’re a fan of live opera in Halifax, you’ve no doubt heard bass-baritone Gregory Servant and soprano Lorna MacDonald in performance.

Now, how about Jonathan MacArthur?

The third-year music student was thrilled to be asked to audition for the historic opera, A Life for the Tsar. Presented by Opera Nova Scotia, it will be performed “concert style” on Sunday afternoon at the Maritime Conservatory of the Arts.

“We’re so fortunate as students to have these opportunities come our way,” says Mr. MacArthur, 21, from Richmond, P.E.I. “And here I am, a little third year, singing the tenor role.”

Singing in Russian

In Russian no less. His professor Gregory Servant urged him to audition. “‘So, sing this aria,’ he says. I’m like, ‘It’s honking hard! It’s at the very top of the tenor range and it doesn’t really come down.’”

Written by Mikhail Glinka in 1836, The Life for the Tsar has been described a “patriotic-heroic tragic opera.” Popular in the 19th century, it fell out of favor in the 20th century and is only now being dusted off and performed again. Mr. MacArthur plays Sobinin, who is in love with Antonida (Lorna MacDonald). But Antonida’s father Susanin (Gregory Servant) is reluctant to let the young lovers marry until Russia’s troubles are settled.

“It’s very hard work (to learn) but we have to make it sound as easy as possible,” he explains, as he poured over the lyrics printed in Cyrillic script, at a local café. He’s been studying the Russian language at Dalhousie and plans to do the Russian Intensive Program over the summer. The unique program takes place at St. Petersburg State University; Mr. MacArthur also hopes to be able to study at the Conservatory of St. Petersburg.

“I’m awfully young to be learning it, but it’s awfully right for me,” he says. “It’s an experience that will serve me well for Russia.”

He decided to sign up for Russian after hearing songs by Canadian soprano Wendy Neilsen that she sings in Russian. In fact, he’s seen the New Brunswick singer from time to time in the Dal Arts Centre.

'A real richness here'

“All I want to do is tell her how beautifully she sings Russian,” he sighs, admitting he’s too shy to approach her.

Whether it’s running into a much-admired opera singer on the steps of the arts centre, getting a chance to perform alongside seasoned professionals or signing up for a semester of study in historic St. Petersburg, Mr. MacArthur says studying music at Dalhousie has opened up his horizons.

“The music department offers us a lot; we can take jobs at churches, participate in a fully staged opera, sing as part of a choir ... there are really tons of performance opportunities. I don’t know if we’d have as much if we were in any other city. There’s a real richness here.”

A Life for the Tsar will be performed Sunday, March 20, 2 p.m. in Lilian Piercey Concert Hall, Maritime Conservatory of the Performing Arts. Before the opera, Professor John Barnstead of the Department of Russian Studies will give an introductory talk. Admission is on a pay-what-you-can basis. For information, call 852-5170.