Yale Bulletin and Calendar

April 13, 2007|Volume 35, Number 25

Yale Opera to stage classic
operetta in a new style

Jacques Offenbach's classic operetta "Orpheus in the Underworld," a satiric tale featuring the Greek mythological characters of Orpheus, Eurydice, Pluto, Jupiter, Venus, Mars and other gods and goddesses, will be re-imagined in a world of college fraternities -- in the style of National Lampoon's "Animal House" -- in the Yale Opera's next production.

This not-so-ordinary opera production of "Orpheus in the Underworld" will take place on Friday and Saturday, April 20 and 21, at 8 p.m. in Sprague Memorial Hall, 470 College St.

In his debut engagement with the Yale Opera, guest director Pier Francesco Maestrini has re-set Offenbach's opera, which he describes as "one of the most outrageous satires ever written," into an "Animal House"-style fraternity setting. According to Maestrini, both "Orpheus in the Underworld" and "Animal House" deal with the question of "what's good and what's bad, or, more accurately, what is considered to be good and bad." The show will be performed in French with English surtitles, prepared by Celeste Montemarano.

Maestrini, a native of Florence, Italy, has directed "Otello" at the Teatro San Carlo (Naples), "La sonnambula" at the Teatro dell'Opera (Rome), "La forza del destino" at the Teatro Sociale di Rovigno, and "Il Trovatore" at the Teatro Verdi di Bussetto. His repertoire of productions also includes such Italian masterworks as Verdi's "Rigoletto," "La Traviata," "Un ballo in maschera" and "Nabucco"; Puccini's "Tosca," "Suor Angelica" and "Turandot"; and Rossini's "La cenerentola" and "Il barbiere di Siviglia."

Students in Yale's Opera will perform. The artistic staff for the opera includes Douglas Dickson and Mikhail Hallak, musical preparation; William Warfel, lighting design; and Marc Verzatt, choreography.

Tickets are $12 and $8; $5 for students. For more information, call the School of Music concert office at (203) 432-4158 or visit online at www.yale.edu/music.

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Alumnus describes how life's challenges have also been a 'gift'

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Yale Opera to stage classic operetta in a new style

Homage to director Rossellini will highlight program on Italian cinema

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Traditional calligraphy by Chinese student featured in benefit exhibition

Kristin Savard wins this year's Hockey Humanitarian Award

Campus Notes