New Lowell Production of 'Semele' Met With Difficult Staging Problem

When the Lowell House Musical Society was organized in 1931, the group confined itself to occasional recitals which could be put together with a minimum of fuss.

Through the years, however, productions have become increasingly elaborate and today, at the Society prepares for the American premiere of Handel "Semele," it faces the problem of making the heroine disappear in a flash of lightning.

At last report, stage manager John S. Bowman '53 had solved this problem with the aid of flash bulbs and dry ice, but its effectiveness will not be known until March 26 and 27, when the opera is presented in the Lowell dining hall.

Composed by Handel and set by William Congreve, the Restoration dramatist, in 1743. "Semele" is known principally for its arias, "O Sleep why dost thou leave me?" and "Where'er You Walk."

Casting for the opera has been completed and the leading feminine roles, Semele and Juno, will be sung by Anne English and Margaret Roy, both of the New England Conservatory of Music. The part of Jupiter is to be played by Robert Peters of the Longy School of Music.

Supporting singing roles have been assigned to Stephen C. Schatzki '52, Douglas M. Saxe '53 and C. Eliot Miltenberger '53, who will portray Cadmus Sommus and Apollo. A chorus of 30 College and Radcliffe students is being rehearsed nightly by Hewitt Pantaleont '32.

Tickets, which went on sale yesterday, are available at Briggs and Briggs the Coop, the Paine Music Building.