ISABEL SANCHEZ/SPECIAL TO THE NEWS SENTINEL

Soprano Rachel Anne Moore, who sings the role of Abigail Williams, and baritone Jesse Stock, who sings the role of John Proctor, in a night scene from “The Crucible.”

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When The University of Tennessee Opera Theatre presents Robert Ward's opera "The Crucible," based on Arthur Miller's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, it will be part of art's function as a reflection of real life.

Sometimes artists hit things head on, such as Ben Shahn's 1967 social realist painting "The Passion of Socco and Vanzetti" reacting to the 1927 executions of two Italian immigrant laborers in Massachusetts.

But artists have also responded with allegories, such as Miller did with his dramatization of the Salem witchcraft trials that took place in Massachusetts Bay in 1692 and 1693.

Written in 1953, "The Crucible" was Miller's response to Joseph McCarthy's House of Representatives' Committee on Un-American Activities blacklisting of supposed communists. Miller himself was convicted of Contempt of Congress in 1956 for refusing to name names.

Although choosing to present "The Crucible" during the current political climate wasn't UT opera director Carroll Freeman's motivation, the point isn't lost on him.

"You can't avoid seeing the parallels," Freeman said when asked about the relevance of doing "The Crucible" now. "Whichever side of the political hedge people are on, we are endangering our sense of who we are with such angry talk.

"But the reason I'm doing this opera now has nothing to do with politics. It's because I could get my hands on a good set at a price that I could afford for an opera that utilizes a lot of singers."

With the growth of the UT opera program in recent years, Freeman looks for works that will put as many of his singers on stage as possible.

Unlike Miller's play, which uses only eight actors, Ward's opera has 21 singing roles.

"I first thought of doing "The Crucible" when Jesse Stock came to our program," Freeman said. "He is a big, burly baritone who is perfect for the role of John Proctor."

A central character, Proctor adroitly tries to use the talk of witchcraft to divert attention away from his adulterous behavior.

It isn't the only tangle and twist the story takes.

At the center is Betty, daughter of the Rev. Samuel Parris, who, along with her cousin Abigail get caught dancing in the woods at night in what is perceived as occult ceremonies.

Parris discovers that his slave, Tituba, who knows conjuring, was also there.

The town of Salem is abuzz with whispers of witchcraft and soon everything spirals out of control. The resulting trials leave lasting impressions on American history.

Appearing in the role of Tituba is LaSaundra Brown, of WBIR, Channel 10.

"LaSaundra doesn't have a background in opera, but she is perfect for Tituba," Freeman said.

"The music is like a movie score. There's a bit of blues and spirituals and LeSaundra sings that music well.

"I'm really captured by the whole opera," Freeman said. "The story is very concise and the music is kind of romantic and inspirational.

"People will find it very easy to hear."

Harold Duckett is a freelance contributor to the News Sentinel.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel
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