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UK Opera Theatre Presents Mozart's 'Marriage of Figaro'
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 26, 2013) — The University of Kentucky Opera Theatre (UKOT) presents Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s beloved 18th century comedy "The Marriage of Figaro." Richard Kagey, acclaimed director and designer of UKOT’s production of "The Phantom of the Opera," returns to direct and design "Figaro." UKOT presents four performances of the opera March 1-3, at the historic Lexington Opera House.
Sung in Italian with English supertitles, "The Marriage of Figaro" is one of the most popular operas in North America. Figaro is the Count's valet, and the Count is plotting to bed Figaro's bride-to-be Susanna, maid to the Countess. Figaro, Susanna and the Countess set out to foil the Count, with the help of a love struck page, Cherubino.
With the talents of award-winning singers from UKOT, Kagey’s production of "The Marriage of Figaro" pays homage to 18th century performance styles, yet the story is as contemporary as today. After a successful collaboration on "Phantom," Susan Dudley-Wigglesworth, costume designer; Tanya Harper, lighting designer; and Steven Bryant, wig designer, return to bring this opera to life.
Each of the 13 roles in UK's production of "The Marriage of Figaro" is double cast, giving each performer a chance to sing the role twice. The 2012 Alltech Graduate Award first and second place winners, Thomas Gunther and Kathrin Thawley, will perform the roles of the Count and Countess. Additional Alltech scholars Andre Campelo, Wanessa Campelo, Ellen Graham, Dylan Harrison, Elizabeth Maurey, Andrea Pearson, Markel Reed and Matt Turner also take the stage in the opera. Under the baton of Maestro John Nardolillo, 33 members of the UK Symphony Orchestra will accompany the singers with live orchestra.
"The Marriage of Figaro" takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday, March 1-3. Due to the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition later this weekend, the matinee performance will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 2. Tickets range in price from $30.50 to $45.50, with student tickets available for $15.50. Tickets are available through the Lexington Center Box Office, located at Rupp Arena, by calling (859) 233-3535 or by visiting ticketmaster.com. For more information, visit http://finearts.uky.edu/music/ukot or call 859-257-9331.
UK’s successful opera program is part of the UK School of Music at the UK College of Fine Arts.
MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, (859) 257-8716; whitney.hale@uky.edu
