The cast is led by veteran voice student Karen Hughes, who plays central character Alexandra Bergson, the daughter of Swedish immigrants struggling to farm the barren Nebraska plains. Richard Durst, dean of the College of Fine and Performing Arts, created the set design, which incorporates magically the vast, stark, openness of the prairie. Stage direction is by William Shomos, School of Music director of opera. Creating the set, lighting and mood is challenging, yet important in conveying the theme of 'O Pioneers,' White said. It's difficult to establish a sense of breadth and the wonderful sense of these big plains but what the set does is zero in on a vanishing point through the stage effects.
Lighting helps set the mood.
White said the opera is important not only because it is the first full-length operatic performance of a Cather novel, but because it is the first since Cather's copyright expired. He said it will be enjoyable by a diverse audience. Many Nebraska high school music students will see a special showing of a final dress rehearsal before the Nov. 12 premiere through a university educational outreach.