She loves him.
She loves him not.
She loves someone else.
Wait a minute …
Reversals of fortune, changes of heart and … is that Cupid?
Don't miss this rarely performed gem of an opera—a story of human love and godly dysfunction—by the Baroque master Francesco Cavalli.
Composed in 1643, Egisto was a popular hit in contemporary Italy where it had performances throughout the country. Its convoluted but charming plot relates the tale of two pairs of lovers cruelly separated by the fates—in the guise of pirates. Egisto, the protagonist, is so devastated by the turn of events that he eventually goes mad—hence the mad scenes. Complicating the story and creating many comedic moments are a host of very fallible and interfering gods including Venus, Cupid, and Apollo plus four tragic heroines from myth—Dido, Hero, Phaedra and Semele. Things are finally set aright but not before one of the rustics—a female servant long past her prime—offers a detailed history of her love life. It’s T.M.I.
Conducted by Brett Hodgdon and directed by Helena Binder, with musical direction by Justin Williams and Brett Hodgdon. Lighting design by Lucas Garrity with set designs by Adrienne Carlisle.
The Undergraduate Opera Studio (UGOS) under the direction of Michael Meraw offers an introduction to performance skills in opera and lyric theatre and the discipline of being a professional singer. Each semester the work of the performance ensemble of UGOS culminates in scenes programs or, as tonight, with a fully staged production.
The production opens Wednesday March 27.
Are you an NEC faculty member or student who is giving a school concert? Submit your artist and repertoire information now!
LOUIS ARMSTRONG