The First Church in Windsor - Opera in the Meetinghouse (1)

"Opera in the Meetinghouse” Great Success

The First Church in Windsor made history last Saturday, August 3rd, - or, more accurately, made history again. At 378 years of age, this congregation has been an important part of Connecticut’s life for quite a while, and the pristine Meetinghouse has been the scene of much activity, both religious and civic. But, up until now, it had never served as an opera house.

A muggy evening in August isn’t usually a likely time to fill a New England Meetinghouse with appreciative opera and musical fans - but then, this evening’s event was hardly usual. With a cast that ranged from seasoned professionals to first-timers, and a program that included staged opera scenes, favorite numbers from musical comedy, and even a send-up of Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries” (announcing the intermission), there was something for almost every taste.

Producer/Director Mark D. Watkins (who also performed in the show) crafted an evening of Broadway tunes that tied in to opera scenes, and vice versa. Watkins, who serves First Church as Music Director/Organist, was ably assisted by his partner, Victor Evans, who is also the Associate Music Director of the Church. The chorus, made up of choir members and friends, made a formidable contribution to the evening, producing a sound that belied its small number.

Several of the “newbies” to operatic performance are his private voice students and members of the First Church Choir: Jennifer Osowiecki, Carolyn Whyte, John Pierson, Heidrun Toben, and Anna Wiedeler. The youngest soloist was Laura Haspeslagh, very much at home on stage thanks to Windsor's excellent youth theatre programs. She also studies with Watkins.

Distinguished guest artists included Emily Bullock, Professor of Music at West Chester University in Pennsylvania, Marlene Delavan and Reegan McKenzie, of McKenzie-Delavan Music Studio in Rochelle Park, NJ. Delavan, who was Watkins' voice teacher several years ago, was unable to perform due to illness, but braved the journey to offer moral support, which was greatly appreciated. All three of these guests had performed with Watkins in similar programs at a church in Tulsa, OK.

The staff of First Church was represented by Senior Pastor Richard Hanna Huleatt, who portrayed Eisenstein in a sketch from Fledermaus, and Church Administrator Mary Phelan, who teamed up with good friend Pam Munroe in a madcap rendition of "Anything You Can Do". The icing on the cake was radio personality Ivor Hugh, with WJMJ of Bloomfield, who proved to be a suave and knowledgeable master of ceremonies, and provided his own unique humor and insight into the offerings presented.

It is safe to say that a grand time was had by all, and plans for further musical theatre offerings at Windsor’s First Church are already in the works...including another “Summer Scenes” program.

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