What: UNT Opera and chamber orchestra's dramatic concert performance of Rossini's Il barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville).
When: 3 p.m. Sept. 21 (Sunday)
Where: Winspear Hall in the Murchison Performing Arts Center, 2100 Interstate 35 Frontage Road, Denton. The concert will also be streamed online.
Tickets: $15 each. Purchase tickets online or by calling the Murchison Box Office at 940-369-7802.
More information: For a complete list of UNT College of Music events, including faculty and student recitals, visit the College of Music online calendar and the College of Music Facebook page.
DENTON (UNT), Texas – UNT Opera will present a dramatic concert version of Il barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville), giving the audience a performance that highlights the music of what has been touted as 'the' comic opera of comic opera.
This concert opera, with pared down props and dress, focuses entirely on the performers and their dynamic interaction with the audience.
With nothing to upstage the music or the comedic interpretations, the Sept. 21 (Sunday) performance allows the audience to engage entirely with the soloists, orchestra and chorus as they perform this work directed by Paula Homer and conducted by Stephen Dubberly.
"This dramatic concert version of Il barbiere di Siviglia is truly all about the music," said Dubberly. "Performing this opera with minimal sets, costumes and props ensures that the music is front and center; no eyes or ears will be distracted from Rossini's gorgeous score. This focus on the music allows students to develop a deeper understanding of Rossini's musical ability to paint comedic action."
This opera is a great learning opportunity for students, added Homer.
"Learning to be a communicative singing actor without a lot of stage movement is integral to the development of young singers aspiring for operatic careers," she said. "Though opera singers need to be able to move freely on stage while executing exquisite vocal technique, a great opera singer can communicate effectively with simply the music and the text. It is where the drama, or comedy in this instance, originates."
The opera tells the story of young lovers Count Almaviva and Rosina who are trying to be together despite the plans of the greedy Bartolo, who intends to marry his ward Rosina for her vast dowry. With the guidance of the local barber Figaro, combined with multiple disguises, Count Almaviva is able to sneak into the home of Dr. Bartolo to woo his love. Of course, hilarity ensues in this comic opera.
There will only be one performance, at 3 p.m. Sept. 21 (Sunday) in Winspear Hall in the Murchison Performing Arts Center, 2100 Interstate 35 Frontage Road, Denton. Tickets for the performance are $15 and can be purchased onlineor by calling the Murchison Box Office at 940-369-7802. The concert will also be streamed online.
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.