Contact:
Helene Erenberg, 404-413-5914
School of Music
Kara Keene Cooper, 404-413-9822
Rialto Center for the Arts
ATLANTA – Georgia State University Opera Theater presents Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s beloved opera, "Le nozze di Figaro" (The Marriage of Figaro), in three performances at the Rialto Center for the Arts: Friday, April 13 and Saturday, April 14 at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, April 15 at 3 p.m. Each performance will be preceded by a free, pre-opera lecture by James Cooney in the lower-level Suntrust Suite of the Rialto Center, one hour prior to performance time. All lecture attendees will also receive a complimentary copy of an educational opera mini-guide written expressly for these performances.
"Le nozze di Figaro" has been among the most-performed operas in the world since its debut in 1786. Plots and subplots, mix-ups and fix-ups, cat-calls and pratfalls abound in a delightful mix of infectious, instantly recognizable melodies and bawdy humor. But this seemingly gauzy operatic confection also explores more serious territory such as the interplay of class, power and privilege, resulting in a profound comedy of the human condition.
Set in today’s culture of social networking and ever accelerating technology, this exploration of love in the digital age will be stage directed by Carroll Freeman, the Valerie Adams Distinguished Professor in Opera at the GSU School of Music and Classical Singer magazine’s “2010 Stage Director of the Year.” Michael Palmer, GSU’s Charles Thomas Wurm Distinguished Professor of Orchestral Studies, conducts the Georgia State University Symphony Orchestra. Musical direction is provided by Dan Solberg and Rolando Salazar. Set design is by Jason Fogarty (Knoxville Opera, Clarence Brown Theater, Bijou Theatre Centre); lighting design is by Ken Yunker (Atlanta Opera) and costume design is by Chase Wagner (Jomandi, Theatrical Outfit). The opera will be sung in Italian with English supertitles.
Tickets range from $22-$48 (students may receive half price tickets with ID) and are available in person at the Rialto Center Box Office, by calling 404-413-9TIX or online at www.rialtocenter.org. Free parking is provided for this event at the Equitable Building deck on Fairlie Street.
Opera Theatre Production: Mozart’s "Le nozze di Figaro" (The Marriage of Figaro)
Friday, April 13 and Saturday, April 14 - 8 p.m.
Sunday, April 15, 2012 - 3 p.m.
Free Pre-Opera Lecture by James Cooney, 7 p.m. (Friday and Saturday); 2 p.m.(Sunday)
Carroll Freeman, artistic/stage director
University Symphony Orchestra, Michael Palmer, conductor
Dan Solberg & Rolando Salazar, musical directors
Plots and subplots, mix-ups and fix-ups, cat-calls and pratfalls abound in a delightful mix of infectious, instantly recognizable melodies and bawdy humor. Set in today’s culture of social networking and ever accelerating technology, this exploration of love in the digital age will be sung in Italian with English supertitles.
Venue: Rialto Center for the Arts
Cost: $22/$32/$48; GSU students 1/2 price with ID
Contact: 404-413-9TIX or www.rialtocenter.org