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Alumni Profile Making
history from history Now
Online bonus—more photos and links for further information These shared interests have resulted in their dual involvement with the production of Luther, an interactive musical that highlights the extraordinary life of Martin Luther. In October, Luther will make its North American, English-language premiere at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, and will feature Augsburg's Masterworks Chorale and the singers from the Finnish National Opera. The musical is the centerpiece of Luther Seminary's Reformation Festival, an annual event created by Gracia for the purpose of strengthening the connection between Lutheran colleges and the seminary. Gracia, a recipient of Augsburg's Distinguished Alumna Award, is a professor of rhetoric at Luther Seminary. She is also an accomplished poet and hymn translator. She had collaborated with Kari Tikka, the director and composer of Luther, prior to his composition of this particular opera. The idea of doing the play
emerged from one of Tikka's personal experiences. According to Gracia, Tikka,
like Luther, "experienced the understanding of the unconditional love of
God after he had been troubled by his conscience." Interestingly, Gracia
encouraged Tikka to shape his idea of a play about Martin Luther's life into
a reality. She attended the premiere of Luther in Helsinki, and eventually
helped Tikka translate the opera into an English version. Both of Gracia and LaRhae's parents (now deceased), the Rev. Harald Grindal ’42 and Jonette (Tinseth) Grindal ’41, and their brother, Ted Grindal ’76, are also Augsburg graduates. Ted is a current member of the Augsburg Board of Regents. Both Gracia and LaRhae have fond memories of their years at Augsburg. For Gracia, one particularly memorable aspect of her Augsburg experience was the extraordinary and talented leadership of such figureheads as Dr. Bernhard Christensen and Dr. Warren Quanbeck. "They knew how to give great speeches that were extremely funny and moving, and would make you die laughing and then weep for the sheer beauty of the language," says Gracia. LaRhae says that "being in the choir and being directed by Dr. Sateren was an experience that will never be duplicated. He was a great man and we made great music." —Wendy Elofson is an information specialist for Augsburg's institutional advancement office.
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LaRhae,
a planning director for the Minnesota Department of Human Services's aging initiative,
majored in music at Augsburg and will showcase her singing talent in Luther
as a member of the Augsburg Masterworks Chorale. The interactive aspect of the
opera will consist of the Masterworks Chorale and the Finnish National Opera
principals leading the congregation in singing several Martin Luther hymns,
including Out of the Depths, Christ Lay in Death's Strong Bands, and
Dear Christians One and All. 
