BC professor’s opera to premiere on May 5

Posted in Theater | 1 comment

Eros and Psyche, an opera by Larry Taylor, associate professor of music at Bridgewater College, will premier at 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 5, in the Carter Center for Worship and Music.

Eros and Psyche, an opera in two acts on a libretto by Tom Noe, an Indiana-based poet and playwright, is based on the Eros/Psyche myth in which the god of love falls tragically in love with the most beautiful woman in the world.

“It’s very exciting to be able to add my name to the list of people who have written an opera,” said Taylor.

The cast includes James Madison University professors Dorothy Maddison and Kevin McMillan along with JMU students Leah Hill and Ross Neal. Comprising the chorus are Bridgewater students: Bethanie Glover, a junior from Waynesboro, Va.; Audrey Hollenberg, a senior from Westminster, Md.; Marianne Houff, a senior from Bethel, Pa.; Tina Lowe, a senior from Roanoke, Va.; Paul Brockman, a senior from Orange, Va.; Wesley Dunlap, a junior from Mount Crawford, Va.; Zachary Haga, a sophomore from Quinton, Va.; and Kyle Remnant, a junior from Bridgewater, Va.

Taylor has been a member of Bridgewater’s faculty since 2003. He holds a bachelor of sacred music degree from Seton Hill University and master’s degrees in organ from Emory University and piano from the University of Notre Dame. He earned a D.M.A. from the University of Cincinnati.

Taylor serves as organist/choir director at Luray United Methodist Church. He is married to Mary Jean Speare, associate professor of music history at James Madison University.

The program is free and open to the public.