The Hillman Opera at SUNY Fredonia will present Francis Poulenc’s 20th-century French masterpiece Dialogues of the Carmelites on Friday, Nov. 13 and Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. in the Harry A. King Concert Hall of the Rockefeller Arts Center.
What Audiences Need to Know About the Fredonia Production
- Performances take place on Friday, Nov. 13 and Saturday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the Harry A. King Concert Hall.
- The production features music and libretto by Francis Poulenc, presented in French with English supertitles.
- Tickets are available online 24/7, by phone on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, or in person at the Fredonia Ticket Office in the Williams Center.
The Cast and Creative Team Behind the Hillman Opera
The staging of Dialogues of the Carmelites brings together faculty leadership and a cast composed of graduate and undergraduate students. Associate Professor Don Marrazzo serves as producer for the production. Dr. Emily Schaad leads the orchestra and serves as music director and conductor, while SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor Paul Mockovak directs the staging.
The student cast features four graduate students pursuing master’s degrees in Music Performance: Gabrielle Gance from Binghamton, NY, as Blanche de la Force. Andrew George from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as Chevalier de la Force. Amie Adams from Hamburg, NY, as Madame Lidoine, and Kayla Sorensen from Glenwood, NY, as Mère Marie.
Undergraduate performers round out the ensemble in the production. Zechariah Beckett performs as the Marquis de la Force, Hudson Smith appears as L’Aumônier, Lindsay Haner sings Sœur Constance, Margaret Shafer portrays Mère Jeanne, and Mia O’Malley takes on Sœur Mathilde. Additional cast members include Chris Dow as Thierry, Dakota Morrison as Dr. Javelinot, Zachary Formhals as the First Commissioner, Sean Mahon as the Second Commissioner and First Officer, and Jude Chiarella as the Jailor. Miranda Wilcox serves as the Madame de Croissy cover, and Ava Hartung covers the role of Blanche de la Force.
Production History and Ticketing Details at Rockefeller Arts Center
Poulenc’s opera unfolds in Paris during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror, centering on a young aristocrat seeking refuge in a convent. The production is supported by funding from SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus Julie Newell, Hillman Opera Patrons, and Friends of the Michael C. Rockefeller Arts Center through the Fredonia College Foundation. The staging is presented as part of the 2026-27 Greater Chautauqua Federal Credit Union season.
| Production Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates and Time | Nov. 13–14, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. |
| Venue | Harry A. King Concert Hall, Rockefeller Arts Center |
| Leadership | Don Marrazzo (Producer), Emily Schaad (Conductor), Paul Mockovak (Stage Director) |
| Ticket Access | Online 24/7; phone orders Mon/Wed/Fri at (716) 673-3501; in-person at Williams Center |
Separately, the Hillman Opera has also featured Gian Carlo Menotti’s The Consul, directed by Daniel Lendzian with conducting by Emily Schaad.
