Marriage
of Figaro production marks 20th anniversary for UNM Opera Theatre,
Tyler
UNM Opera Theatre celebrates its 20th anniversary with a
production of Mozarts The Marriage of Figaro, a joint
production of the UNM Theatre and Dance Department April 24-26
and May 2-3 at 7:30 p.m. and May 4 at 2 p.m. at Rodey Theatre.
The opera is directed by Marilyn Tyler, who is celebrating
her 20th year as director of UNM Opera Studies.
Also featured is Jorge Perez-Gomez, music director. Set design
is by Richard Hess and choreography is by Judith Chazin-Bennahum.
Costumes were supplied by the Santa Fe Opera.
The music will be performed by the UNM Opera Orchestra. The
cast includes students, faculty, and alumni. The opera
is multi-cast and the six performances will be rotated to accommodate
the maximum number of students to perform major roles. It
will be sung in Italian, with English supertitles.
The Marriage of Figaro is one of the most beloved works in
the history of music and features some of Mozarts finest.
Based on the sophisticated stage comedy of the same name by
Pierre Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, it is a story of nobles
and commoners, disguised lovers and crossed destinies in which
love conquers all.
Tickets are $10 general, $8 seniors/UNM faculty and staff,
$6 students and children. Tickets are available at the UNM Ticket
Office, 925-5858, at tickets.com outlets or online at tickets.com.
The closing performance May 4 includes a champagne brunch at
University House to honor Tyler for her leadership of the Opera
Program. Tickets are $25 and include the brunch and performance.
An internationally acclaimed opera artist, Tyler joined UNMs
music faculty in 1983 as director of opera studies. As a soloist,
she performed under the baton of many of the worlds leading
conductors including Leonard Bernstein, Georg Solti and Erich
Leinsdorf. She has performed with a number of major orchestras
including the London Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony, Concertgebouw,
and the New York Philharmonic.
Under Tylers leadership, UNMs Opera Theatre has
been the recipient of three National Opera Association Awards.