After an exhausting year, The University of Memphis Rudi E.Scheidt School of Music's Opera Division will close its 2002-2003season with a bang.
The Opera Division will end the season by performing "SuorAngelica" and "Gianni Schicchi", two works by the Italian composer,Giacomo Puccini.
The performances will take place Thursday through Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. in Harris Concert Hall.
Michael Johnson of the school of music will direct the operas.Mark Ensley will serve as conductor.
"This is the largest production that has been attempted on theHarris stage in over 20 years," Johnson said. "We're tryingeverything we can to make this show as professional aspossible."
Kathyrn Wilson, assistant director of "Suor Angelica" and"Gianni Schicchi", said the Opera division teamed up with thetheater department in order to bring the productions to life.
"We're working in conjunction with the theater department. Forinstance, our set is being built by the theater kids," Wilson said."So, it's a little bit of a collaboration."
Although Johnson is looking forward to the Opera Division'sseason finale, he remains nervous about the productions.
"We are a little nervous about the show because this is ourlargest production," Johnson said. "We are maxing out ourcapabilities. This is the largest budget and the largest number ofpeople we have ever had."
Johnson said the Opera Division's performance will offer alittle something for everyone.
"We have one opera that is funny, and we have one that is reallymoving. So it should be a fun evening for anyone that would like toattend," Johnson said.
Puccini's "Suor Angelica" is a tragic tale of a woman namedAngelica, who forced to join a convent after giving birth out ofwedlock.
She must wait nearly seven years before she has any news abouther child, whom she has never met.
"Gianni Schicchi" is a comedic contrast to Puccini's tragedy,"Angelica." This comedic tale focuses on the relatives of a richman named Buoso Donati.
After his death, Donati's family devises a scheme to rewrite hiswill, so they may inherit all of his money.
Admission to the productions is free for U of M students with astudent ID. The show is $10 for the general public and $7 forsenior citizens, faculty and non-U of M students.
