DETROIT, MI - Wayne State University Opera Workshop is pleased to announce it's upcoming performance of Aaron Copland's The Tender Land in collaboration with Warren Consolidated School of Performing Arts (WCSPA). WSU Opera Workshop featuring WCSPA students will be performing the production on April 4 and 5, 2003 at the Warren Consolidated Schools Performing Arts Center, 12901 15 Mile Rd. in Sterling Heights. Detroit performances will be April 9 and 10, 2003 on Wayne State's campus in the Community Arts Auditorium located on Cass Ave. at Kirby. All performances are at 7 p.m. Admission is $7 for children/seniors and $10 for adults at the WCSPAC and $5 for Detroit performances. For tickets please call WCSPA at (586) 825-2530 or the WSU Opera Workshop at (313) 577-2619.

Rodgers and Hammerstein, two mainstays in American musical theatre, commissioned The Tender Land. They saw in Aaron Copland a demonstration of their own thirst for America and American topics. Copland's musical works ranged from ballet and orchestral music to choral music and movie scores. His music for Billy the Kid (1938) and Rodeo (1942) have become instantly recognizable as part of the "American landscape sound" of movies, TV and radio. Copland, one of America's greatest composers, learned to play piano as a teen from his sister. After high school he studied harmony and counterpoint through a correspondence course. A self-made man, he is an example of the American dream. He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1944 for Appalachian Spring.

The opera, Copland's second and replete with memorable themes, has two favorites: "Stomp Your Foot upon the Floor" and "The Promise of Spring."

WSU students featured in this production include: Teddy Abesamis (Martin) from Canton; Arianne Everett (Beth) originally from Pinckney now living in Dearborn Heights; Gerrie Ball (WSU faculty accompanist), Ben Benjamin (Grandpa), Jihyun Kim (Mrs. Jenks), Pierre Rodney (Mr. Jenks), Annie Walker (Ma Moss) from Detroit; Ronald Hirchberger (Top) from New Baltimore; Gary Borigian (Mr. Spears) from Redford; Elizabeth Gray (Mrs. Spears) from Southfield; Allyson Hansen (Laurie) from Sterling Heights. Most roles are double cast to provide the students a variety of roles and experiences.

The Opera Workshop (OW) is a class designed to hone the acting and interpretive skills of the trained singer. The OW experience offers a variety of performance experiences in addition to full productions each academic year. Patrons have contributed to the success of the Opera Workshop by participating in the Adopt a Diva or Divo Program in which audience members are given the chance to sponsor singers in many future performances.

Featured in this production from WCSPA are: Nicole Argento, Dayna Casbar, Michael Johnston, and Amy Swartz from Sterling Heights High School; and, Andy Ciarkowski, Craig Dunlop, Marlene Edge, Kayla Hamilton, Frank Maiorana, Ken Sharrow, Chris Schwartz and Jaclyn Lewis as Beth from Cousino High School.

WCSPA is a daily two-hour in-depth study program for high school students interested in drama, stagecraft and dance. Students study in tandem with several full performances throughout the year. Students are admitted to the program by audition in March of each year. WCSPA is a school of choice. WCSPA may be reached by calling (586) 825-2530.

For group sales, information on how you can become part of the Adopt a Diva or Divo Program and for other information contact Frances Brockington, Director of the WSU Vocal Division, at (313) 577-2619.