University of Denver Spring 2026

This spring’s production, “Die Fledermaus,” was last performed in 2017.

a philandering aristocrat—while satirizing the social pretensions of the elite.

As Mackenzie Laun, a second-year master’s student studying vocal performance who played Adele, says, “We did dialogue in English and then sang in German, which can get wordy, but preparation helps.” Students got diction and pronunciation help from Heidi Melton, assistant professor of voice, who studied in Germany. Often, Lamont brings in coaches who are native speakers of the language of the opera being performed. Students must also adapt their mannerisms to match their roles. First-year master’s student Alma Sejmenović, a vocal performance major, was cast as Orlofsky, a traditional “pants role”—a young male character typically sung by a mezzo-soprano. “I needed to think more about posture, walking, carrying myself, and even learning how to perform in dress shoes instead of character shoes or heels,” she says. Students say all the hard work pays off when the production finally comes together. Regan Lewis, a recent alumna earning a performance certificate and playing the role of Rosalinde, says one of the most

Once the opera was selected, Nouri and Plenk spent the summer on logistics: choosing the sets; lining up supporting staff like choreographers, set designers, and coaches; creating budgets and schedules; and deciding what direction the opera will take—does it need to be modified? How many rehearsals are needed? What language materials do the students need? When the students arrived in the fall, auditions took place and rehearsals began. Finding their voices For students, being part of “Die Fledermaus” was an intense but rewarding experience, with at least nine hours of rehearsals a week as well as individualized coaching in voice and acting. The production featured 10 lead singing roles and more than 20 students in the chorus, with songs performed entirely in German— making learning the language an essential first step.

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UNIVERSITY OF DENVER MAGAZINE | SPRING 2026