Student vocalists to present pair of operas
Tickets are $12 general admission, $10 for seniors and $5 for students, and are available from Miller Auditorium online or by calling (269) 387-2300 or (800) 228-9858.
About the operas
"Amahl and the Night Visitors" was the first opera composed expressly for television. It received its premiere on NBC in 1951 and has been broadcast regularly ever since, as well as staged throughout the world. Set to melodic and accessible music, the opera tells the story of a poor, crippled boy who welcomes the three kings on their way to visit the newly born Christ child. The words and music were created by composer Gian Carlo Menotti.
"The Beautiful Bridegroom" is a frothy comedy about a "mature" woman who decides to seek an extraordinarily handsome young bridegroom, much to the consternation of her maid and her two daughters. The matchmaker, Madame Kirsten, has a solution that brings the opera to its delightful conclusion. The music and libretto by Dan Shore move swiftly and are easily accessible.
The operas are fully staged and costumed. Fourteen-year-old community resident Andrew Behrman will play the role of Amahl, accompanied by a cast of some 30 WMU student vocalists. School of Music faculty members David Little and Carl Ratner will serve as conductor and stage director, respectively.
For more information about the concert, contact Carl Ratner at carl.ratner@wmich.edu or (269) 387-4706.
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