LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 17, 2012) − A cast of award-winning vocalists from University of Kentucky Opera Theatre will present Giuseppe Verdi's fast-paced, romantic comedy "Falstaff." The opera, sung in Italian with English supertitles, will be staged Feb. 24-26, at Lexington Opera House.
Set in Windsor in 1602, the portly Falstaff sees himself as a "Don Juan." Running low on drinking money, Falstaff seeks to win, from two wealthy married ladies, affection and funding by sending them identical love-letters. With a jealous husband, a mischievous gossip, and a subplot involving forbidden young lovers, "Falstaff" is comedic chaos featuring some of the most glorious melodies ever written.
At age 76, librettist Arrigio Botio persuaded Verdi to create "Falstaff," based on William Shakespeare's "The Merry Wives of Windsor." Botio convinced the celebrated composer saying "there is only one way to end your life’s work more fittingly than with 'Otello,' that is to end it with Falstaff."
"Verdi, using the extraordinary libretto of Botio, creates a wonderful opera that I think actually eclipses Shakespeare’s original by fitting the style of the music to the antic happenings of one very busy day in the town of Windsor," says Richard Kagey, director of UK Opera Theatre's production. "Unlike many operas, the characters are constantly talking to, with, and over each other, creating a texture and depth of melody that illuminates the comedy."
"Shakespeare’s Falstaff is the rogue we love no matter how badly he behaves," Kagey says. "And Verdi’s 'Falstaff' is an opera we love because of the brilliance of the music."
UK's production of "Falstaff" has been double-cast with an award-winning cast led by Jonathan R. Green and Reginald Smith Jr. as Falstaff. Other vocalists featured in the production are: Tae-eun Moon and Michael Preacely as Ford; Jason N. Brown and Luther Lewis III as Fenton; Philip Eschweiler and Evan Leroy Johnson as Dr. Cajus; Jermaine Brown Jr. and Elliot W. Lane as Bardolfo; Jacob Waid as Pistola; Brittany Benningfield and Catherine Clarke Nardolillo as Alice; Rebecca Farley and Elizabeth Maurey as Nannetta; Karmesha K. Peake and Holly Dodson as Quickly; and Sarah Klopfenstein and Ellen Graham as Meg Page. Seventeen members of the cast and chorus have won a William E. Schmidt Scholarship or Alltech Vocal Scholarship or both.
Rounding out the cast are chorus members William Clay Thompson as the innkeeper, Markel Reed as Robin, Isaac Jones as Will, Dylan Harrison as Ned, Francisco Bedoy as Thomas, and Andrew Miller as Jack.
"Falstaff" takes to the stage 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26.
UK Opera Theatre is part of the UK School of Music at the UK College of Fine Arts. The UK School of Music has garnered national recognition for high-caliber education in opera, choral and instrumental music performance, as well as music education, composition, and theory and music history.
Tickets for "Falstaff" at the Lexington Opera House are $40 for general admission, $37 for UK faculty/staff and seniors, and $15 for students. A handling fee will be added during the transaction. To purchase tickets, contact the Rupp Arena box office at (859) 233-3535, boxoffice@rupparena.com or in person at the office 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and on the day of the event. Tickets can also be purchased through Ticketmaster.com at www.ticketmaster.com/venueartist/180455/730073.
MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, (859) 257-8716 or whitney.hale@uky.edu
