The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis opens tonight with Michael Hollinger's 鈥淥pus,鈥� the story of a famous string quartet who must replace one of their members in time to perform for the White House. Director Brendon Fox described the quartet as a family of sorts, making the play relatable even to someone who doesn鈥檛 know much about classical music.
There are many parallels between the arts, Fox said, and the 鈥渃ross-pollination between the fields鈥� found in "Opus" makes the play both unique and exciting. He recruited three members of the St. Louis Symphony to coach his actors into believable musicians, including cellist Bjorn Ranheim, who is also a member of the quartet .
Unlike the hierarchy of the symphony, members of a quartet come up with artistic direction more democratically, which can make for some lively discussions.
鈥淵ou have four very unique personalities, perspectives, and different musical ideas, and you have to fight for those ideas and you have to convince everybody, and then become convincing as a unit,鈥� Ranheim said.
The other two St. Louis Symphony musicians serving as coaches are violinist Eva Kozma and violist Shannon Farrell Williams.
Related Event
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis Presents Michael Hollinger's "Opus"
January 10 - February 2, 2014
Various Times
Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road
For more information, call 314-968-4925 or visit the
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