L’Amour: An Opera Theatre Workshop Production, will be presented by the Longwood University theatre and music programs for the 7th Annual Opera Workshop. The adaptation of the 19th century play La Ronde will be performed from Tuesday, Feb. 19, through Saturday, Feb. 23, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 24, at 3:30 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre in the Center for Communication Studies & Theatre.
The adaption was created and is directed by Dr. Gene Muto, professor of theatre, who wrote the script, and Dr. Christopher Swanson, associate professor of music, who is providing the musical direction. The play, which follows the intimate relationships of various couples experiencing the trials and tribulations of love, will include arias, duets and choruses from several famous operas.
"There’s a lot of operatic material about love and how it seems beautiful and noble and sweet," said Swanson. "Then we have this play where love is this awful, dirty thing."
The production is an outgrowth of the opera workshop course that Muto and Swanson teach together, typically for music and theatre students. In the class, students learn basic performance techniques such as breathing and body movement.
"The production promises to be a lot of fun," said Muto. "For those people who are nervous about going to see an opera, this is a very lighthearted, very accessible version."
Tickets are $5 for Longwood students; $6 for senior citizens and Longwood faculty and staff; and $8 general admission.
For more information on the production, contact the box office at 434-395-2474. Tickets may be reserved online at etix.com, or through the box office, by phone or at the box office, located on the first floor of the Center for Communication Studies & Theatre.
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