[192] MTSU Opera To Present 'The Marriage Of Figaro' Nov. 12-14

MTSU OPERA TO PRESENT ‘THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO’ NOV. 12-14
‘Witty, Entertaining’ Student Cast to Tackle Mozart’s Most Famous Opera

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 9, 2010
EDITORIAL CONTACT: Tim Musselman, 615-898-2493

(MURFREESBORO)—The MTSU Opera will present Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro” in three performances in Hinton Music Hall in MTSU’s Wright Music Building: at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 12 and 13, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 14.

“This is Mozart’s most famous opera,” said director Dr. Raphael Bundage, MTSU choral and opera professor. “I am so very proud of this cast. They are witty, vocally strong and entertaining.”

The cast includes:

• Scott Willis and Fitzgerald St. Louis playing Count Almaviva;
• Erica Simmons, Charley Talley and Leslie Freeman performing Rosina, Countess Almaviva;
• Gene Hudson and Corbin Phillips in the role of Figaro;
• Sarah Wofford and Amy Trautwein portraying Susanna;
• Katie Spencer and Lindsey Mapes playing Cherubino; and
• Cayla Bryson, Victoria Stephens and Elizabeth Elliot in the role of Marcellina.

“The Marriage of Figaro” is based on Beaumarchais's 1784 play “La Folle Journée, or Le Mariage de Figaro,” a sequel to his earlier play, “Le Barbier de Séville (The Barber of Seville).” The latter is familiar to opera audiences in Rossini’s famous work, where Count Almaviva, with substantial help from Figaro, wooed and won the lovely Rosina away from her crusty old would-be husband, Dr. Bartolo.

In “The Marriage of Figaro,” Beaumarchais continued their story, but the Count and Rosina’s marriage has gone sour because of his philandering. Figaro, now in charge of the count's household, is engaged to Susanna, Rosina's maid and the count's intended conquest. Old Bartolo is back seeking revenge on Figaro with the help of the slimy music-master, Don Basilio. Adding to the fun are an amorous teenager, a scheming old maid, a drunken gardener and a silly young girl.

Bundage said the stage director for the program is John Kramar, currently professor of voice and director of opera at East Carolina University. The assistant director is Wendy Payne, the choreographer is Justin Nelson, costume designer is Patricia Clark and the set designer and technical director is Justin Durham.

Tickets for each of the three performances are $10 for general admission and $7 for students. Admission is free for MTSU students with ID. For other ticket information, call 615-898-2849.

Founded in 1911, Middle Tennessee State University is a Tennessee Board of Regents institution located in Murfreesboro and is the state’s largest public undergraduate institution. MTSU now boasts one of the nation’s first master’s degree programs in horse science, and the Council of Graduate Schools in Washington, D.C., acclaims MTSU’s Master of Science in Professional Science degree—the only one in Tennessee—as a model program. This fall, MTSU unveiled three new doctoral degrees in the sciences.

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IN BRIEF: The MTSU Opera will present Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro” in three performances in Hinton Music Hall of the Wright Music Building on the MTSU campus: at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 12 and 13, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 14. “This is Mozart’s most famous opera,” said director Dr. Raphael Bundage, MTSU choral and opera professor. “I am so very proud of this cast. They are witty, vocally strong and entertaining.” Tickets for each of the three performances are $10 for general admission and $7 for students. Admission is free for MTSU students with ID. For other ticket information, call 615-898-2849.

For MTSU news and information, visit www.mtsunews.com.

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