Mary Anning: Fossil Hunter, by Jon Mitchell, to Be Season Finale April 5th

By J.D. O’Gara

The local Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra will perform Franklin resident Jon Ceander Mitchell’s chamber opera, Mary Anning: Fossil Hunter, as the finale of its Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra Apple Tree Arts Chamber Series on Saturday, April 5 at Apple Tree Arts in Grafton. Dr. Mitchell is “Professor Emeritus of Music” at University of Massachusetts Boston, and this work, his first chamber opera, was first performed last June at the First Universalist Society of Franklin Meetinghouse by the Greater Milford Community Chorus and FUSF members.

The opera itself deals with pioneer paleontologist Mary Anning.  She faced two centers of conflict in the English society of the early 1800’s: class stratification and gender discrimination.  The opera and has been expanded since last year, with the inclusion of three new brief movements: two instrumental interludes and an aria, “Whither, Mary?”, sung by Mary’s friend Elizabeth at the beginning of Act II.

The male lead (role of Dr. William Buckland) is being sung by Timothy-Ayers-Kerr, Franklin resident and full-time faculty member at Dean College.  He is conductor of the Dean College Vocal Ensemble, which will be the featured chorus within the opera. Tim’s wife, Elizabeth Clutts Ayers-Kerr will sing the role of Molly Anning, Mary Anning’s mother, in the Prologue. Four of the five original cast members, all professionals as well, are returning. Seven of the eight original professional instrumentalists are also returning, and Luis Viquez, conductor of the orchestra at University of Rhode Island and current president of the College Orchestra Directors Association, will conduct.

For more information on the event or tickets, visit https://www.claflinhill.org/claflin-hill-apple-tree-arts-chamber-series or scan the QR code here.