UK Opera Theatre Opens 2019-20 Season With Puccini’s 'Gianni Schicchi,' 'Suor Angelica'

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 25, 2019) — The University of Kentucky Opera Theatre (UKOT) will open their 2019-20 season with a double-bill evening of Giacomo Puccini’s one-act operas, "Gianni Schicchi" and "Suor Angelica," Oct. 11-13, at the Singletary Center for the Arts Concert Hall. 

The evening starts with the hilarious farce (and the only comedy written by Puccini) "Gianni Schicchi," which features one of the most popular soprano arias in all of opera — “O Mio Babbino Caro.” "Gianni Schicchi" tells the story of a shady businessman who has been called in reluctantly by the Donati family to falsify the will of an uncle who has just died. He complies, but not exactly the way the family was hoping.

In the tragic melodrama "Suor Angelica," Sister Angelica has been shut away in a convent for seven years as punishment for a youthful indiscretion. She longs to see her family once more and learns that she will soon receive a visit from her aristocratic aunt. However, her aunt deals Angelica some soul-shattering news that changes her life forever.  

"Gianni Schicchi"  and "Suor Angelica" will begin 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 11-12, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13. Tickets for both operas are priced by seat location. Student tickets are $15, general seating ranges between $45 and $55. Processing fees and sales tax with be applied to the ticket purchase. Tickets can be purchased at the Singletary Center box office, by phone at 859-257-4929 or online at www.scfatickets.com. Discounts are available to faculty and staff only when tickets are purchased through the Singletary Center box office with a valid UK ID. Valet parking is available. 

UK Opera Theatre is part of the School of Music at the UK College of Fine Arts. The school has garnered a national reputation for high-caliber education in opera, choral and instrumental music performance, as well as music education, music therapy, composition, and theory and music history.