Texas State Opera Theatre presents 'Children of the Sun'

By Andrew Smith
University News Service
October 25, 2013

Texas State Opera Theatre has partnered with the McCallum Fine Arts Academy for the first ever performance of Henry Mollicone’s “Children of the Sun” on Nov. 15-16 at 7 p.m. and on Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. at the McCallum Arts Theatre Center in Austin.

The world premiere event will combine live orchestral music from the McCallum Fine Arts Academy and the operatic singing of Texas State vocalists to tell the iconic story of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

“Children of the Sun” is the original work of Henry Mollicone. The American composer has had an illustrious career spanning nearly four decades and has received awards and grants from institutions such as OPERA America, the Presser Foundation, the American Composers Alliance and the National Endowment for the Arts. Mollicone has also worked as an orchestrator and composer for feature films and television series.

Samuel Mungo, the director of opera studies at Texas State, will oversee the school’s participation in the performance. His previous productions at Texas State include “Die Fledermaus,” “The Magic Flute,” “The Turn of the Screw,” “Don Giovanni” and Jacques Ibert’s “Angelique,” which was named the 2012 Opera Production of the Year by the National Opera Association. Mungo’s accomplished career encompasses more than 20 years of singing, directing, and teaching. He has also served as a faculty member at the Actors Studio Drama School in New York and the New School University.

Admission to the performance is free. Tickets must be reserved in advance and are limited to six per party. Reservations can be made by contacting the McCallum Fine Arts Academy at (512) 414-2519. For additional information contact Samuel Mungo by email at dr.mungo@yahoo.com or by phone at (512) 245-3046.