Who would have guessed back when she was part of the Super Singers at Clear Lake Elementary in the mid-1980s, Kelly Warnke-Senger would one day perform at the Detroit Opera House?
The lifelong Oxford resident will be singing soprano as a chorus member in the May world premiere of ‘Margaret Garner,? a new American opera commissioned by the Michigan Opera Theatre, Cincinnati Opera and Opera Company of Philadelphia.
‘When I read the letter, I couldn’t believe it. I was hopping around the kitchen screaming. My kids thought I was crazy,? said Warnke-Senger, describing the moment she learned of her acceptance to the Michigan Opera Theatre in November 2004.
The 1992 Oxford High School graduate auditioned for the opera company in June 2004. ‘I was on pins and needles until they sent me a letter,? she said.
Composed by Richard Danielpour with libretto by Toni Morrison, ‘Margaret Garner? is a new American opera based on one of the most significant antebellum (pre-Civil War) fugitive slave stories
Fleeing the slave state of Kentucky for the free state of Ohio in 1856, Margaret Garner and her family were discovered and surrounded by pursuers.
Margaret declared she would kill herself and her children rather than return to life as a slave.
As her husband was overpowered and dragged from their hiding place, Margaret grabbed a knife from the table and killed her daughter.
She then attempted to take the lives of her other children and kill herself, but she was captured and jailed before she could complete her desperate work.
Her subsequent trial resulted in a major legal battle as to whether Margaret should be charged with murder according to Ohio law or destruction of property under Kentucky law.
The trial became the subject of intense national debate, addressing crucial constitutional law issues and posing key questions at the core of the rift in the Union.
Ultimately, Margaret was found guilty of destruction of property and remanded back to slavery.
‘It will give you chills,? said Warnke-Senger of the ‘very emotional? opera. ‘I encourage the community to come see it. It’s accessible to everyone, not just the opera connoisseur. It borrows from gospel, jazz and classical music. It’s entertainment that makes you think.?
This is Warnke-Senger’s first time performing in a full opera. As part of the 72-member chorus (comprised of 36 white singers and 36 black singers), she will sing in three of the two-act opera’s seven scenes.
Warnke-Senger is thrilled about the opportunity to perform on stage again. She’s spent the past 10 years behind-the-scenes teaching voice technique.
‘I just love sharing the gift of music with people,? said Warnke-Senger, who graduated from the University of Michigan in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in Voice Performance.
After obtaining her teaching certificate, Warnke-Senger taught K-12 students at public and private schools in Belleville and Royal Oak.
She currently teaches voice technique from the privacy of her Oxford home on Cross Timbers, where she lives with her husband of nearly eight years, Paul, and 4-year-old twins, Joshua and Jillian.
Warnke-Senger’s love of music and singing began with her parents, Bob and Carol Warnke, of Oxford.
‘My dad had a (bluegrass) band for many years,? she said. ‘I listened to him sing all the time. That’s how I got interested.?
As a fifth and sixth-grader at Clear Lake Elementary, Warnke-Senger performed with the school’s Super Singers.
She continued singing through middle school and performed with the Choralaires, Oxfordaires, Girls Ensemble, Solo and Ensemble and Honors Choir while attending OHS.
At U-M, she sang with the University Choir as part of the Chamber Singers and performed as a chorus member in Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta ‘The Mikado.? An operetta is a light, amusing opera.
These days when she’s not teaching voice technique, Warnke-Senger is a seasonal choir director for Christ the King Church in Oxford.
Warnke-Senger is encouraging Oxford area residents, particularly young people, to come see ‘Margaret Garner? at the Detroit Opera House May 7, 11, 14, 20 and 22.
‘I hope to get people in the community more interested in music,? she said. ‘I want to get the next generation involved.?
For more information about ‘Margaret Garner? visit www.margaretgarner.org or www.motopera.org.