SRU to present ‘Sister Angelica’ April 15-16 in Butler

Kylie Reiber, a Slippery Rock University music performance and music therapy major from Ontario, New York, will play “Sister Angelica” during SRU’s April 15-16 presentation of “Sister Angelica” at Covenant Presbyterian Church, Butler.

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The Slippery Rock University Women's Choir will be joined by other music students to present the opera "Sister Angelica" at 7 p.m., April 15, and 3 p.m., April 16, at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Butler.

Christopher Scott, assistant professor of music, will direct. Stephen Barr, assistant professor of music, will conduct.

"Sister Angelica is an hour-long opera that is both thought-provoking and heart-wrenching," Scott said. "It will be sung and acted by SRU students of diverse major areas of study, including the entire SRU Women's Choir, and played by an orchestra of SRU students and area professionals," Scott said.

"Sister Angelica," by Giacomo Puccini, debuted in 1918 at the Metropolitan Opera.

The opera tells the story of "Sister Angelica," a Florentine noblewoman who has been compelled by her family to take the veil and join a convent. The opera explores the sister's struggles, fears about damnation and heavenly visions.

Students in the production are:

• Kylie Reiber, a music performance and music therapy major from Ontario, New York, as "Sister Angelica;"
• Caitlin Luck, a music performance major from Wellsburg, West Virginia, as "Sister Genevieve" and "Sister Dolcina;"
• Sam Christou, a music major from Pittsburgh, as "Sister Genevieve" and "Sister Dolcina;"
• Mara Flannery, a music therapy major from Butler, as the "Princess;"
• Susan Dalessandro, a music therapy major from Sharon, as the "Monitor;"
• Carlie Keffer, a music major from Slippery Rock, as the "Nursing Sister;"
• Haylee Goodenough, a music therapy major from Honesdale, as a "Lay Sister;"
• Danielle Jeung, a music therapy major from Monroeville, as a "Traveling Sister;"
• Alaina Stroud, a music therapy major, as a "Traveling Sister;"
• Katie Steele, a music education and French major from Cranberry, as the "Mistress of the Novices;" and
• Brooke Witherite, a music therapy major from Clearfield, as "The Novice."

The suggested donation is $5 for students and $10 for adults. Covenant Presbyterian Church is at 230 East Jefferson Street, Butler.

MEDIA CONTACT: Gordon Ovenshine | 724.738.4854 | gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu