This past weekend, Butler Lyric Theatre performed the operas “Dido & Aeneas” and “Trouble in Tahiti.” Lyric Theatre gives students the opportunity to perform in productions that combine theatre and music.

“It was really fun,” senior Brian Daniels said, who played Aeneas in “Dido & Aeneas” and a member of the Trio in “Trouble in Tahiti.” “The two roles I played were very different, which made it easier to keep singing throughout the whole show. ‘Trouble in Tahiti’ was more difficult musically for me, but it was more difficult to get into the character of Aeneas.”

“Dido and Aeneas”, by Henry Purcell, takes place in Carthage in ancient times. Dido, the queen of Carthage, is in love with Aeneas. The adventures they and the other characters engage in, as well as the romance between the characters, are the basis for the plot of the play.

“Trouble in Tahiti”, by famed composer Leonard Bernstein, takes place in 1950’s suburban America. The plot is about the faltering marriage of Sam and Dinah, an American couple. Jazz music plays a big role in the very modern opera.

“Learning the music was very difficult,” senior Ben Plocher said, who played a member of the Trio. “The Bernstein score has a lot of close harmonies, so it is hard to learn all of it. It was a very rewarding experience, performing ‘Trouble in Tahiti,’ a 20th century opera.”

One thing audience members must have noticed in the two operas was that they were very modern and catered well to an audience of college students. The traditional stereotypes of what people in this age group often see as a type of music more for adult fans of the genre did not seem to apply to the Lyric Theatre productions.

“I think our director, Nancy Davis Booth, was good at picking operas very appropriate to the age for each of the people playing the roles,” Daniels said. “These voices were good at the roles. Also, it was good that the two shows were so different in style.”

Senior Daniel Thompson, who played Sam in "Trouble in Tahiti," and was in charge of the costumes, hair and makeup for both shows, elaborated on the appeal of the shows.

“This is a lot of what modern opera is,” Thompson said. "It ['Trouble in Tahiti'] was written in the 1950s by Leonard Bernstein. He wanted something the people would enjoy. The music, atmosphere and themes still hit close to home today, and people can relate it [the plot] to their parents.”

An ensemble of seven musicians performed in the background for “Dido and Aeneas,” and an ensemble of four musicians performed in the background for “Trouble in Tahiti.” The music in the background really helped set the stage for and bring life to the two operas.

Senior Molly Wood, who performed in the ensemble for “Trouble in Tahiti” described what it was like.

“It was a lot of fun,” Wood said. “The scores were kind of challenging. Leonard Bernstein uses some jazz elements. The coaches were very good, as were the singers. It was dedication and hard work.”

The shows were fun to watch and were destined to please more than just opera buffs.

“Learning the music was very difficult,” Plocher elaborated. The Bernstein score has a lot of close harmonies, so it is hard to learn all of it. It was a very rewarding experience.”

“It was fun, but a lot of work," Thompson added.