What: UNT Opera and the UNT Concert Orchestra present Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd, a Tony Award-winning 1979 musical written and performed in English.
When: 8 p.m. Feb. 21 (Friday), 3 p.m. Feb. 23 (Sunday), 8 p.m. Feb. 28 (Friday) and 3 p.m. March 2 (Sunday); "In the Know" pre-performance lectures begin 45 minutes prior to each performance.
Where: Lyric Theater at the Murchison Performing Arts Center, 2100 Interstate 35 Frontage Road, Denton.
Cost: Ticket prices range from $15 to $35 (the $35 price includes dessert and wine). Purchase online or by calling the Murchison Box Office at 940-369-7802.
DENTON (UNT), Texas – The "demon barber of Fleet Street" comes to Denton when the University of North Texas Opera and UNT Concert Orchestra present Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd Feb. 21 to March 2.
Written and performed in English – so no translation is necessary – the musical tells the story of Sweeney Todd, who returns to London after having been exiled by a corrupt judge. He learns his wife has killed herself and his daughter is being raised by the judge. With the help of a meat pie maker, he concocts a plan to exact revenge on his enemies.
Performances are at 8 p.m. Feb. 21 (Friday) and Feb. 28 (Friday) and 3 p.m. Feb. 23 (Sunday) and March 2 (Sunday), under the direction of Paula Homer, Margot and Bill Winspear Chair in Opera Studies. The UNT Concert Orchestra will be conducted by Stephen Dubberly, who will give pre-performance lectures for opera ticket holders 45 minutes prior to each performance.
All performances take place in the Lyric Theater in the Murchison Performing Arts Center, located along the north side of Interstate 35E in Denton. Tickets are $15 to $35 (the $35 price includes dessert and wine). For tickets, contact the Murchison Box Office at 940-369-7802 or online.
About UNT Opera
The UNT opera program began at UNT in 1944. It is one of the oldest programs of its kind in the western half of the United States. Honors earned by UNT Opera include first place in the 2011 National Opera Association competition for its production of Marc Blitzstein's Regina. The final production of the spring season will be a double-bill of Italian one-act operas by Puccini and Leoncavallo, April 4-6.
About the UNT College of Music
The UNT College of Music is one of the largest and most respected comprehensive music schools in the country. More than 1,600 music students attend UNT each year, participating in more than 50 widely varied ensembles and pursuing specialized studies in performance, composition, music education or music scholarship. UNT faculty members and students have made appearances on the world's finest stages and have produced numerous recordings, many receiving Grammy awards and nominations. Distinguished UNT alumni can be found around the globe, in top music ensembles, opera companies, universities and schools.