SU’s Pulse, community partner Syracuse Opera offer free preview of unique double bill ‘The Medium’ and ‘Pagliacci’ April 17

SU’s Pulse, community partner Syracuse Opera offer free preview of unique double bill ‘The Medium’ and ‘Pagliacci’ April 17March 31, 2008Jaime Winne Alvarezjlwinne@syr.edu

Syracuse University’s Pulse performing arts series and community partner Syracuse Opera will sponsor a free preview of the double bill Menotti’s “The Medium” and Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci” on Thursday, April 17, at 12:30 p.m. in SU’s Rose and Jules R. Setnor Auditorium, Crouse College. The two operas share a similar premise, with protagonists who go over the edge of sanity and commit murder. The preview is free and open to the public; no tickets are required. Parking will be available at a discounted rate in Irving Garage. Patrons should alert the attendant that they are attending the opera preview.

During the preview, Syracuse Opera’s director of music, Douglas Kinney Frost, will discuss the opera and introduce members of the cast, who will perform highlights. “The Medium” features mezzo-soprano Sondra Kelly as Madame Flora, local soprano Julia Ebner as Monica and baritone Jason Detwiler as Mr. Gobineau. “Pagliacci” stars Detwiler as Silvio, soprano Jee Hyun Lim as Nedda, tenor Todd Geer as tortured clown Canio, local baritone Jimi James as the scheming Tonio and local tenor Jonathan Howell as Beppe.

“The Medium” was written in 1946 and ran for 211 performances on Broadway in 1947. It is a compendium of Menotti’s style, with delicate orchestration, lyric writing and dramatic music. “Pagliacci” premiered 55 years before “The Medium” and is considered a prime example of verismo opera, which places real people in real situations. Like Menotti, Leoncavallo wrote his own libretto, based on a true story he learned from his father, a judge who presided over the case of an actor who murdered his wife in a jealous rage. The opera was an instant hit.

“The Medium” will be sung in English with projected titles. “Pagliacci” will be sung in Italian with projected English translations. The operas are scheduled to run Friday, April 25, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 27, at 2:30 p.m. at the John H. Mulroy Civic Center’s Crouse-Hinds Concert Theater.

In addition to the opera preview, Pulse has discounted tickets available for “The Medium” and “Pagliacci” double bill. Tickets — $3 for SU students and $5 for SU faculty and staff with valid SU I.D. — are available at the Schine Box Office, (315) 443-4517.

Founded in 1974, Syracuse Opera is the only year-round professional opera company serving Central New York. For more information, call 476-7372 or visit http://www.syracuseopera.com.

Pulse provides SU students and the local community opportunities to attend and participate in programs, performances, exhibitions and events in the visual and performing arts. It is a collaborative project of SU’s Division of Student Affairs and the College of Visual and Performing Arts. For more information, visit http://pulse.syr.edu.