Shenandoah Conservatory Concludes International Tour of Portugal and Spain with Performances of Handel’s ‘Acis & Galatea’
Shenandoah Conservatory students and faculty recently returned from a successful international tour across Portugal and Spain, presenting a concert staging of Handel’s “Acis & Galatea” as part of Shenandoah University’s Global Experiential Learning (GEL) initiative. The tour, which took place from Oct. 20 to Oct. 27, featured performances in the cities of Espinho and Porto in Portugal and Salamanca, Spain, and provided conservatory students with a unique opportunity to share their artistry on an international stage.
The production was directed by Director of Opera and Associate Professor Ella Marchment, B.Mus., with Director of Orchestral Studies and Associate Professor of Conducting Emanuele Andrizzi, D.M.A., conducting and Choral Artist-in-Residence, Director of Choral Activities and Associate Professor Richard W. Robbins, D.M.A., serving as chorus master. The creative team also included Assistant Professor of Music and Vocal Coaching Maja Tremiszewska, D.M.A., on harpsichord; and Executive Director of Performances & Engagement, Artistic Director of Performing Arts Live and Adjunct Associate Professor of Conservatory Academics Courtney Reilly ’18, M.S.; and Director and Assistant Professor of Contemporary Music Roderick Vester, Ph.D., who provided tour support.
“We were honored to share the beauty of Handel’s most celebrated pastoral opera with audiences in Portugal and Spain,” said Dr. Robbins. “The students worked for weeks to prepare for this tour, and their focus and dedication were evident in every performance. They truly captured the essence of this masterpiece, reflecting the conservatory’s commitment to nurturing artistic excellence and fostering meaningful cultural exchange.”
The tour featured 34 talented students and six faculty members from Shenandoah Conservatory, all of whom collaborated to bring Handel’s pastoral masterpiece to life in new cultural settings. Performing for audiences in Portugal and Spain not only enriched the students’ understanding of the art form, but also highlighted Shenandoah University’s dedication to fostering global perspectives and hands-on learning experiences. This initiative underscores the importance of engaging with diverse cultural contexts while celebrating the rich legacy of opera.
Following the success of the international tour, Shenandoah Conservatory will bring “Acis & Galatea” back home as part of its Conservatory Performs 2024/25 season. The production will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9, in Armstrong Concert Hall on the main campus of Shenandoah University. This special performance promises to be a memorable evening for local audiences to experience this renowned production firsthand.
Visit conservatoryperforms.org to learn more about the performance and purchase tickets, or contact the Shenandoah Conservatory Box Office for more information.
About Shenandoah University’s Global Experiential Learning Initiative
Shenandoah University’s Global Experiential Learning (GEL) initiative provides students with transformative, hands-on educational experiences in diverse cultural environments, equipping them with the skills and perspectives needed for success in a globalized world.
