What would America look like without opera?

Kennesaw State University music major Simon Kawasaki shudders at the thought, but his project through KSU's Summer Undergraduate Research Program considers that very possibility, one of a handful of summer projects from the College of the Arts.

"This is a serious issue; even before COVID, the attendance numbers and funding for opera were dwindling, so I want to see if there's a solution," said Kawasaki, who performed in KSU's recent productions of "Die Fledermaus" and "The Marriage of Figaro."

"It's a controversial subject. My project talks about the relevancy of an art form, if it can even last in the next 100 years, if it'll be gone."

As part of SURP, Kawasaki's project, titled "L'Amore Infranto: The Sustainability of Opera in American Society Past 2024," involves interviews with people associated with opera locally and nationally, including performers, donors, musical directors, and executive directors. He has also found data on the number of opera companies operating in the U.S. as well as opera attendance, examining trends in attendance to indicate a potential future.

Within the next few months, Kawasaki will write an essay and produce a multimedia presentation for the purpose of presenting his findings at a conference, and he said he hopes to publish an article in an academic journal of musicology.

"I was really excited for the kind of opportunity to write scholarly papers and to have them disseminated in this way," he said. "To think I'm among all these serious researchers looking into major health problems and scientific projects—the subject is pertinent in and of itself, and I'm very happy that KSU was willing to hear me out."

Kawasaki said his curiosity of opera started with his older sister's interest in classical music. As he "headed down the classical music rabbit hole," he discovered opera, which grew alongside his passion for singing. An operatic baritone, Kawasaki performed in school musicals before applying to Kennesaw State.

He planned to study musicology, but later pivoted to pursue that interest via a degree program in music theory based on the advice of professors in the Bailey School of Music.

"Life happens, and you have to make the best of what you're given," Kawasaki said. "The faculty of KSU were just incredibly accommodating, and they were willing to offer me everything I expect out of the musicology degree."

Kawasaki praised professor of music history and musicology Edward Eanes, who is supervising his research this summer. In addition to his teaching duties at KSU, Eanes plays violin in the Atlanta Opera Orchestra and has connected Kawasaki with several sources for the study.

Eanes said Kawasaki came to him with research bonafides, starting with another opera-related project on the reception history of "Madame Butterfly," and continuing with Kawasaki's appointment as representative to COTA's undergraduate research forum.

"He's a talented singer and has top-notch academic research skills," Eanes said. "And he puts his entire being into it. It's been very rewarding to watch him grow during this process."

After graduating in 2026, Kawasaki hopes to pursue a doctoral degree, and then a career as a musicologist, most likely as a professor at the university level. He also still plans to perform as a singer in any setting he can find.

"Along with writing and publishing, teaching has always been something that I've been passionate about, just sharing with other people the power of music," he said.

"Voice is my main instrument and so I'll sing in choirs or on stage or wherever I can. I still want to keep making music that way, to keep sharing my passion for music."

Provided by Kennesaw State University