LOON Celebrates 20th Season With Choral Opera “The Radio Hour”

Picture of Sheryl Jensen

Sheryl Jensen

Lyric Opera of the North (LOON) is proud to present their next production, a fully staged choral opera, “The Radio Hour.” In 40 minutes and three parts, the opera tells the story of Nora, a middle-aged woman, having a very bad day, who seeks solace by locking herself inside her apartment and turning on the radio.

Nora doesn’t sing or make any other kind of sound and is played by a silent actress, Christa Schulz in LOON’s production. LOON’s chorus, becomes Nora’s inner voice as well as the sounds she “channels.”

In a Program Note (provided by the opera’s composer Jake Heggie to Vocal Essence), Heggiesaid,”This concept allowed us to explore a wonderful variety of textures, colors and sounds: traffic noise, swing tunes, radio ads, a quasi-rap song, big band, a touch of 12-tone music, and finally a full, celebratory flowering of grand choral singing.”

Heggie added, “It was an immensely challenging world to enter, and all of us experienced many ‘Nora days’ along the way. But always, the magic of the choir, of connection, of community through singing, took us to the hopeful place on the other side of a door marked ‘possibility’’”

Meet Three LOON Chorus Members

The Chorus is the star of the show in this opera where the Chorus is split into two, the “Nora Choir” and the “Radio Choir.” These three members of the LOON chorus all have interesting backgrounds and perspectives, and they all can’t wait to bring “The Radio Hour” to life.

Rebeca Farmer

Besides LOON, Rebecca Farmer has performed locally on stage with the Duluth Playhouse, The Underground, Wise Fool Theater, and Rubber Chicken Theater. She also performs with Arrowhead Chorale, the Borealis Chamber Project, and Twin Ports Choral Project. A violinist, Farmer plays in various orchestra pits and groups around town. Her day job is working as the Growth Manager for the Minnesota-based nonprofit CaringBridge. 
 
Farmer said, “I am most excited about ‘The Radio Hour’ for its complete uniqueness in the opera world and that it’s a work by a living composer. Jake Heggie uses the most exquisite harmonies throughout the work and while it is incredibly difficult to learn, it’s incredibly rewarding to perform. I am so excited for the Twin Ports community to experience this opera.”

Gunnar Molstad

Gunnar Molstad directs vocal music at North Star Academy and the Camerata, the tenor-bass choir of the Lake Superior Youth Chorus. He works with  Denfeld High School’s musical theatre program (this year music directing Evil Dead and co-music directing the upcoming Legally Blonde), and last summer he was the Bass section coach for the MMEA All State Choir.
 
Molstad said, “”The Radio Hour” is so incredibly cathartic, and the entire time is scored with the most gorgeous music I’ve ever sung. It seamlessly flows from lush music that would be at home in the Golden Age of Radio, to a Latin-inspired tango, then to 20th century modern music and more, in a way that’s always fresh without being jarring or off-putting.”
 
“There’s really nothing like this opera,” he added. “It makes you wish there was a whole genre just like it! It’s fun, it’s joyful, and is full of so much sincerity and love. It’s the show I tell everyone who listens ‘if you can only make it to one show in Duluth this year make it this one!’”

Keely Wachter

Keely Wachter is a work-based learning coordinator for the Duluth Public Schools helping students on their path to employment. She is also the Denfeld Drama advisor. 

Wachter was in “Zombies from the Beyond” with Northern Spotlight Theater and was in the ensemble for “Matilda” and “Sound of Music” at the Duluth Playhouse. 

In productions for Loon, she has been in the chorus for “Elixir of Love,” “Amal and the Night Visitors, “Cavalleria Rusticana,” and “La Boheme.” “Singing beautiful music with talented and dedicated musicians is a special kind of joy,” she said.

“With “The Radio Hour,” it is fun to do something so new and creative. The layers of storytelling will keep the audience engaged as they piece together what is happening,” added Wachter. “Each chorus member is bringing their piece of the story, Nora’s story, to life. I think it will be beautiful to hear and captivating to watch!”

Information about LOON’s “The Radio Hour”
Conductor Michael Fuchs
Stage Director Jeffrey Madison
Choreographer Amber Burns.
Scenic Designer and Painter Ann Gumpper
Costume Designer Ora Jewell-Busche
Lighting Designer Alex Flinner
What:  A Choral Opera: Libretto by Gene Scheer & Music by Jake Heggie
When: Friday, January 24 at 7:00 PM and Sunday, January 26 at 3:00 PM
Where: At the St. Louis County Depot Main Stage in Duluth.
Tickets: Available at loonopera.org or by calling 218.464.0922.

Next Up for LOON:

Valentine’s Day Soirée
Friday, February 14, 2025 At Greysolon Ballroom
Food, Music, Friends, and Fundraising in support of the work of LOON

“Die Fledermaus”
Friday, June 13, 2025 at 7:00 pm Sunday, June 15, 2025 at 3:00 pm
At the NorShor Theatre
Composed by Johann Strauss II
Libretto by Karl Haffner and Richard Genée

Twenty years ago, Lyric Opera of the North’s very first event featured scenes from “Die Fledermaus.” What better way to celebrate their anniversary than with a beautiful new production of this operetta that is an ode to bubbles, waltzes, masked balls, and shimmery melodies.

Get the latest stories in your inbox

Brought to you by