Michigan State University’s Opera Theatre will finish its 2018-19 opera season with two comedic one-act operas from March 20 to 24 in the Fairchild Theatre.
Gioacchino Rossini’s “La Scala di Seta”and Giacomo Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi” will present hilarious stories of thwarted lovers and dysfunctional family affairs.
“La Scala di Seta” tells the story of a young couple, married in secret, who sees each other every night when the young maiden, Giulia, lowers a silken ladder from her window. Her teacher and guardian, Dormont, wishes her to marry another man, Blansac, coincidentally the best friend of her husband. Hilarity ensues when Giulia attempts to fix up Blansac with her cousin Lucilla instead but, in the end, everyone is happy — except Dormont.
“Gianni Schicchi” follows the story of a real historical figure, for whom the work is named. The story begins at the home of the recently deceased Buoso Donati, where his relatives are devastated to learn that he has left his entire fortune to a monastery. Featuring the famed aria “O mio babbino caro,” it is a tale of trickery to rewrite the old man’s will, with relatives in agreement yet ultimately swindled.
The award-winning MSU Opera Theatre is under the direction of Melanie Helton, professor of voice. Steven Mosteller conducts.
The MSU Symphony Orchestra will provide the music for the performances, guest conducted by Mosteller who has conducted at the New York City Opera for over twenty seasons, as well as productions with such major regional companies and conservatories as the Manhattan School of Music and the Wolf Trap Opera.
Show Times:
- 7 p.m., March 20
- 7 p.m., March 22
- 7 p.m., March 23
- 3 p.m., March 24
Tickets are $22 for general admission, $20 for seniors and $7 for students and those under 18 with a valid ID.
Tickets may be purchased from the College of Music box office, online, over the phone at (517) 353-5340 or at the door one hour before the show.
Generously sponsored by the Belle and Julius Harris Visiting Artist Fund established by Lauren Julius Harris. The Opera Theatre season is generously funded by the Worthington Family Foundation
More information can be found here.