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Constantinos Yiannoudes |
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Daniel Cory |
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Sean Fallen |
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Bodo Igesz |
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Matthew Lau |
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Helen Todd |
The Athena Grand Opera Company will present two performances of
Rossini’s Barber of Seville, Feb. 27 and 29,
at the Classic Center in downtown Athens. The Feb. 27 performance
begins at 8 p.m.; the Feb. 29 show begins at 3 p.m.
The Athena Grand Opera Company is a cooperative venture between
the Classic Center and the UGA School of Music. This production
marks the sixth opera produced by the company.
Gioachino Rossini’s Barber of Seville is considered
one of the funniest operas ever written. The audience will find
some of the music surprisingly familiar, and will be tapping their
toes and humming when they leave.
The barber of the title is Figaro, who uses his conspiratorial talents
to help a visiting count pay court to the lady of his choice. He
is the same Figaro whose own later marriage is the subject of Mozart’s
earlier opera The Marriage of Figaro; Rossini’s Barber
is an early example of what is now sometimes called a “prequel.”
Internationally acclaimed stage director Bodo Igesz directs this
year’s performance. He also directed last year’s Athena
Grand Opera Company performance of Madame Butterfly. In
addition to directing the Metropolitan Opera in New York for 23 years,
Igesz has staged operas in Santa Fe, Caracas, Santiago and San Juan.
The conductor for Barber is Mark Cedel, director of orchestral
activities in the School of Music. Allen Crowell, director of choral
activities, will be the chorus
master.
Professionals from around the country will perform the lead roles
in the opera, with UGA students rounding out the cast. Figaro will
be sung by baritone Constantinos Yiannoudes, a native of Cyprus
who has performed with numerous opera companies around the United
States and is currently completing a doctorate in musical arts at
the City University of New York.
Rosina will be played by Helen Todd, who was trained at DePaul
University and the University of Cincinnati and was a regional winner
of the Metropolitan Opera competition, among many awards. Sean Fallen,
Count Almaviva, is currently singing with the New York City Opera
and received his master’s degree from Indiana University.
Matthew Lau, who has sung with several opera companies around the
country, plays Dr. Bartolo. Basilio will be sung by Daniel Cory,
who has also performed in many venues and who appeared in the Athena
Grand Opera Company’s production of The Marriage of Figaro
in 2002.
Tickets for The Barber of Seville are available at the
box office in the Classic Center for $15–$45. Phone orders
are accepted at 357-4444. |
