Arts & Culture

SU Opera Theatre to present Mozart, Haydn double bill Jan. 28-30

Tuesday, January 11, 2011, By Erica Blust

The Syracuse University Opera Theatre will present a double bill of Mozart’s “The Impresario” and Haydn’s “La Canterina (The Songstress)” Jan. 28, 29 and 30 at 8 p.m. in the Rose and Jules R. Setnor Auditorium, Crouse College. Admission is free for SU students with a valid SU I.D.; tickets for the general public are $10 at the door. Free parking is available in the Irving Garage.

The SU Opera Theatre performs under the direction of Eric Johnson, faculty member in the Rose, Jules R. and Stanford S. Setnor School of Music in the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA). The production will be fully staged in English and with full orchestra conducted by James Welsch, also a faculty member in the Setnor School.

The operas are short comedies by the two greatest masters of the classical period. “The Impresario,” famous for its virtuoso writing for the voice, concerns the backstage rivalry of two sopranos. “La Canterina” follows the machinations of an aspiring singer as she plays two lovers off against each other. Both will be presented in new English versions and updated to the 21st century.

Featured soloists include Setnor School students Gabrielle Traub, David Artz, Abigail Ottenjohn, Rachel Boucher and Jill Brenner, all of whom starred in SU Opera Theatre’s acclaimed 2010 production of “Die Fledermaus.”

For more information about the operas, contact Johnson at (315) 443-2512 or ejohns01@syr.edu. For Setnor Auditorium concert status updates, contact (315) 443-2191.