by Cheri Scott

UHCLIDIAN STAFF

Are you a fan of opera music? Do you like comedy? If so, check out the Dueling Divas, which opens Feb. 22, at 8 p.m. in the Bayou Theater.

"The show is a comedic romp through opera with a lighthearted approach. It's serious music, serious fun," said Andrew Reitberger, coordinator of student life for activities and cultural arts. "They [the Divas] are classical musicians. They are well trained, have great voices, and have fun by making opera fun for the audience. That makes it more accessible to people and more interesting."

Reitberger said the songs the audience will hear in the Dueling Divas performance will be interesting because of the familiarity of the songs and the comedy involved.

"It's humorous and there is beautiful music," Reitberger said. "Some of the songs that [the students] will hear are in movies and commercials. This performance is for the novice to the expert. It's for child to adult. I think students will like the fact that it is fun and it's good music."

Reitberger points out that when some people hear opera they have a preconceived idea in their head, but the opera industry is evolving. He says that it used to be only the rich and highly educated people who went to the opera. They understood what the opera singers were saying in Italian and French and other languages. In recent years there have been subtitles added so people can read what is actually being sung.

"I think the Divas have been very inventive in creating a program that says opera is fun too," Reitberger said. "This performance is something that people enjoy and should be able to enjoy. Take a chance and try something different, it's going to be fun. I think the students will have a good time."

Mary Hines, one of the performing Divas, agrees. "I think even if a person does not like opera, they will still be entertained. The comedy really helps."

Hines has performed in opera, musical theater and chamber music. She is a graduate of Sam Houston State University where she received both her bachelor's and master's degrees in music. Hines has performed as a soloist with the Houston Symphony Chorus, Houston Masterworks Chorus, Woodlands Symphony, Symphony North, Clear Lake Symphony, Greenbriar Consortium and New Ear Chamber Orchestra of Kansas City. She has also sung various opera roles with Inspiration Point Opera, Seagle Opera Colony, Opera in the Heights and University Opera Theater.

Hines has had the opportunity to work with various composers including William Kraft, Mario Davidovsky and John Eaton. Hines has also been established through local radio and television. Most frequently, she sang the national anthem for the Houston Astros, Houston Rockets and Houston Comets. She teaches private voice lessons and is on the voice faculty at San Jacinto College.

"I really enjoy singing [with Patti]," Hines said. "It's fun and rewarding to make great music together."

Patti Spain, the other performing diva, is a Texas native. She graduated from the University of Houston and the Sweelink Conservatory in Amsterdam, where she studied with famed baritone Max von Egmond.

Spain has performed as a soloist with the Dallas Symphony, New Mexico Symphony, Houston Masterworks Chorus, Peoria Symphony, Scandinavian Orchestra of Michigan, Houston Symphony Chamber Players and the Da Camera Society. Spain is a founding and performing member of two Houston based chamber ensembles: MOSAIC and Aquinas.

She has worked in other performing arts divisions such as Broadway, jazz and contemporary music. She has worked with composers such as David Ashley White, Michael Horvit, Art Gottschalk and Paul Cooper. She is also on the production staff at HITS Unicorn Theater.

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