School of Music to premiere triple bill of new comic operas

KALAMAZOO, Mich.--Western Michigan University's School of Music will present "Ever Since Eden," an award-winning work consisting of three one-act operas, at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14 and Saturday, Nov. 15 in the Dalton Center Recital Hall.

Directed by department faculty members Carl Ratner and David Little, "Ever Since Eden" is composed by Bruce Trinkley with a libretto by J. Jason Charnesky, who plan to be in attendance after a week-long residency working with the student cast. Ratner, WMU's Director of Opera, will serve as stage director, and Dr. Little, professor of voice, will conduct the performances.

Three one-act operas

Each of the three one-act operas is based on a historical situation in which a female character makes a strong choice that impacts culture for the future.  

"Eve's Odds" takes place in the Garden of Eden at the moment Eve chooses whether to eat the forbidden apple.

"Golden Apple" is about Virgil's writing of the "Aeneid" and the story of Dido and Aeneas.

"Cleo" takes place during the filming of the 1963 movie version of "Cleopatra." This act explores Elizabeth Taylor's relationships with husbands Eddie Fisher and Richard Burton.

Tickets and more information

Tickets are $12 general admission, $10 for seniors and $5 for students, and are available from Miller Auditorium at millerauditorium.com or by calling (269) 387-2300 or (800) 228-9858.

For more information about the concert, visit wmich.edu/music or ccontact Carl Ratner at (269) 387-4706.

For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.