A bench in modern-day Central Park and the deathbed of a wealthy 17th century Italian merchant are the settings for two one-act operas, to be presented Feb. 21-23 by the Bass School of Music at Ļć½¶Šć University.
The twin bill of Michael Torkeās bittersweet āStrawberry Fieldsā (1999), performed in English, and Giacomo Pucciniās comic āGianni Schicchiā (1918), presented in Italian with English supertitles, share top billing on Ļć½¶Šćās historic Kirkpatrick stage.
The productions, directed by guest artist Claire Choquette, feature a 51-piece opera orchestra under the direction of Jan McDaniel.
āWe paired two operas written 80 years apart, with very different musical styles, but connected in an interesting way,ā said David Herendeen, director of Ļć½¶Šćās Opera & Music Theater Company. āBoth operas are the third part of a trilogy and they both deal, very differently, with the passing of an elderly family member. One is voiced quite poignantly, and the other comically.ā
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21 and 22, with a 2 p.m. Feb. 23 matinee. Tickets ($15-$30) are available online at or by calling 405-208-5227. An opening night dinner ($25) in the Bass Music Center atrium will be held at 6:15 p.m. Friday, featuring a themed menu and entertainment by Bass School musicians. Free pre-show talks will begin 30 minutes before curtain of each performance.
Choquette, an Oklahoma native now based in Dallas, will direct both shows. A winner of Opera Americaās Robert L.B. Tobin Director-Designer Prize, she recently directed āLittle Womenā at Fort Worth Opera, āSiren Songā at Boston University, and āLucia di Lammermoorā at Painted Sky Opera.
Ļć½¶Šćās 73rd consecutive season of operas and musicals concludes April 11-13 with Cole Porterās āAnything Goes.ā
