Comic opera a love story for the season

  Tuesday, February 2, 2016 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

For their first full opera production in the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts, the Southeast Kansas Symphony and the Pittsburg State University Opera Theater have chosen a Valentines love note, of sorts, for the community.

The symphony and opera theater will present “Elixir of Love,” one of the most performed operas by Gaetano Donizetti, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 12, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 14, in the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts. The Southeast Kansas Symphony is under the direction of Raúl Munguía, director of orchestras and assistant professor of music at PSU.

“‘Elixir of Love’ has been a favorite of mine for as long as I can remember, and is an opera that I have been wanting to direct here at PSU for many years,” said Patrick Howle, an instructor of voice and director of the Opera Workshop in PSU’s Department of Music. “With our move to the Bicknell Center I wanted to have something special for our first performance in the new space. Coupled with the fact that the performances are Valentines weekend, this seemed like the perfect choice.”

“Elixir of Love” premiered in Milan in 1832 and was wildly popular. The opera’s popularity has not waned in the 184 years since it was first performed and it appears as number 13 on the Operabase list of the most-performed operas worldwide between 2008 and 2013.

“Elixir of Love” combines a touching love story and hilarious comedy with some of the world’s most famous melodies, including the much-loved aria ‘Una furtiva lagrima.’

Tickets are $9 for adults, $5 for students high-school aged and under and $7 for persons 65 and older. PSU students, faculty, staff and retired staff are admitted without charge. All seating is general admission.

Tickets are available at the PSU Ticket Office, 1701 S. Homer, 620-235-4796, or online, www.pittstate.edu/tickets.