The lighter side of opera (and not to mention Grammy nominees) will showcased when SUU Opera presents "The Old Maid and the Thief" and "The Proposal" as part of Southern Utah University’s Department of Music’s Masterworks Series.
Performances will run Wednesday, March 7 through Saturday, March 10 and held at the Thorley Recital Hall in SUU’s Music Building.
Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. for all performances.
Pricing for the Music Masterworks concerts is: General Adult Admission: $8, SUU Faculty & Staff: $6 and Student/Child: $4. SUU students are admitted free by presenting a valid ID at the door.
From the press release:
Under the direction of Professor Carol Ann Modesitt, Director of Opera and Voice, the evening features two delightful one-act operatic confections sure to entertain. The Old Maid and the Thief tells the tale of a wily vagabond who charms his way into the home and affections of a wealthy old maid and a flirtatious housemaid and all too soon, the handsome houseguest has both women under his spell. Featuring music and an English libretto by the acclaimed Gian Carlo Menotti, the chamber opera had its world premiere on NBC Radio in 1939.
The evening also includes Milton Granger’s The Proposal. In this piece, a young woman receives a marriage proposal from her boyfriend. Before she accepts, she tells him she must consult the "board" and summons her five alter egos: the 5-year-old, the security officer, the sensuous woman, the Statue of Liberty and Mother Teresa. Instead of offering consistent advice, these manifestations of herself only confuse the young woman and she must dismiss them before she can think clearly. The Proposal features music and English libretto by Milton Granger.
Some of SUU’s most distinguished student performers make up the cast list for the two operas. "The Old Maid and the Thief" features Geneil Perkins as Miss Todd and "The Proposal" features Taliah Lee Johnson as the conflicted potential bride. Both were nominated for Grammys this past year for their inclusion in a choir that was nominated for Best Choral Performance.
