Genoa daughter performs tonight as Gretel

Genoa residents Al and Pat Talamantes' daughter Danielle is performing in the title role in "Hansel and Gretel" tonight and Sunday night.

Danielle is a soprano who lived in Genoa for a short interlude between college and graduate school in the late 1990s.

"I had a Nevada drivers license for six months and took a job as a temp," the 30-year-old said.

She went to college at Virginia Tech and did her graduate work at Westminister Choir College, both of which are on the east coast.

"It was definitely a change of pace," she said of her time in Nevada's oldest town. "It was clean and beautiful and away from the hustle of the D.C. area."

The Talamantes have lived in Genoa since 1994, when they moved from Virginia.

Tonight's performance will be the third time she's performed in Nevada, but will be her debut for the Nevada Opera in an official production.

She previously performed with Opera in Blue Jeans 2006 during Reno's ArtTown and performed at a recital with the Carson City Music Club in 2005.

"Things are going really well," she said. "My career is picking up speed with competitions and opera gigs. I'm expecting to be picked up by an agent management company soon."

Coming to Genoa is a working vacation for Danielle, who also gets to visit with her parents, sister and other family members.

"My aunt Donna is the costume mistress for the show," said Danielle, who has been in rehearsals since Monday. "It's a beautiful environment and a good place for a working vacation."

The opera is being performed at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts 7:30 p.m. today and 2 p.m. Sunday. Ticket prices range from $35 to $90 and can be purchased tickets from the Pioneer Center Box Office online at www.pioneercenter.com.

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In a high conflict relationship and want to fill out questionnaires?

UNR's psychology department is conducting a study to evaluate the tools and techniques presented in Professor Alan Fruzzetti's book "The High Conflict Couple."

"It is sometimes difficult to disengage from polarizing anger once an argument has started," Fruzzetti said.

The research study is recruiting volunteer couples who are willing to read the book, practice its suggestions and exercises, and track their activities as they work through the book together.

Anyone interested should contact Karen Murphy at (775) 682-8675 to sign up or for more information.

n Kurt Hildebrand is editor of The Record-Courier. Reach him at 782-5121.