Classical grad in experimental opera concert

SALEM – Lynn Classical graduate Tyler Gioacchini will be singing in an opera tonight at Salem State University, and he has absolutely no idea how the story will turn out.That’s just fine with him, since he’s going to be among the pioneers of a musical experiment in which the audience will determine the plot and the outcome. It’s called #SSUBuildsAnOpera, and Gioacchini and his castmates will team up with the Salem State Chamber Orchestra and its conductor, Dr. Mary-Jo Grenfell, for an experience that’s believed to be the first of its kind anywhere.”The absolute best part of this production is the fact that we will be moving through this plot line along with the audience,” says Gioacchini, who graduated from Lynn Classical in 2010 and expects to graduate from Salem State in May with a degree in music. “It is as engaging for us as the audience. We do not even know what will be happening next until Dr. Grenfell holds up her signs to us indicating the next piece.”Unlike most theatrical productions where they’re asked to silence their cell phones, audience members are encouraged to bring their devices to the concert to help determine the plot. They’ll be asked to text, tweet or QR scan the storyline for the opera, determining whether the hero will live, whether the heroine and her beloved will live happily ever after, or whether the villain will win the day.”This concept hit me like a bolt from the blue,” says Grenfell, who chairs the music department and conducts the chamber orchestra in what will be another rare occurrence: a mash-up of vocal and instrumental ensembles.”Remember the books and old video games where you chose what happened next? In this case it’s the audience who gets to decide how the story goes,” Grenfell says.Gioacchini will be joined by vocal students Elizabeth Anderson, Michael Benjamin, Amanda Cooper, Chelsea Flordeliza and Matthew Trainor. The group has been rehearsing music and some limited dialogue that is designed to match the story line that the audience chooses. There will be no sets or costumes, but there should be plenty of drama.”There are other ensembles out there using audience choice, but I think this is the first one that combines opera, audience choice and technology,” Grenfell says.For his part, Gioacchini jumped at the opportunity.”I have always wanted to be part of an orchestra performance here at the university,” Gioacchini says, “but as a vocalist that is not the simplest request to fulfill.”He said he would jokingly ask Grenfell if she had a place for him, and then she came up with the idea for the orchestra-opera mash-up.”Our overarching theme for the music department this year is ?Celebrating the Human Voice,'” explains Grenfell, who holds a bachelor’s degree in music from Colorado State University at Pueblo, a master’s from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a doctorate from the University of Northern Colorado. “The program for the orchestra this spring was a way for the ensemble to tie into the theme.”Gioacchini has been preparing for this since his days in the Lynn Public Schools, and he credits Lynn teachers and its programs for exposing him to many different kinds of music.”I had incredible teachers, especially in the arts, throughout my schooling there,” Gioacchini says. “Everybody was supportive and wanted to help me get to the next level.”And Salem State has been that next level, he says.”Our faculty here is packed with life experience that they are always excited and willing to share. I’m always eager to listen when those stories are being told. There is so much that a person can take from the life experiences of others,” says Gioacchini, who is active in the music program South Church in his newly adopted hometown of Andover.He’s not sure exactly what he’ll be doing after he graduates, but he’s looking forward to spending a month in Costa Rica before he figures out what to do next. After what he calls “an action-packed” last couple of years of university work and a caree