Local composer’s work debuts

Music lovers are in for a treat Friday and Saturday as The Idaho Falls Opera Theatre puts on a performance of the opera “Carmina Burana.”

But it ‘s a double treat because it will also be the world premiere of a couple movements of “Persephone,” written and directed by local composer Roger Evans.

“A tone painting is depicting a story so you don’t need words necessarily,” Evans said. “Each movement we want you to understand what’s going on just by the music.”

The work is based on the Greek myth about Persephones, the daughter of Zeus who is the goddess of spring, but is abducted by Hades and taken to the underworld.

For Evans, it’s rewarding to hear what he put down on paper come to life.

“The biggest thing is having these spectacular musicians and singers and instrumentalists playing notes that I put on a page,” Evans said. “My computer will play it, but never the same way as these wonderful musicians.”

Tickets are available Feb. 24 and 25 at the door at the Civic Auditorium for the 7:30 performance, or at the Idaho Falls Arts Council office and website, idahofallsarts.org.