Scenes from famous operas by Gioacchino Rossini, Johann Strauss, Jules Massenet and Giuseppi Verdi will be presented by West Virginia University Opera Theatre during a program titled “Opera…on a lighter side,” at the Creative Arts Center, Jan. 22-25.

Directed by Robert Thieme, who is head of WVU Opera Theatre, and with Stage Director Rebecca Abram Kreider, performances in the Antoinette Falbo Theatre begin at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, Jan. 22-24, and 3:15 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 25.

The students will perform scenes from: “Cenerentola” (Cinderella) by Rossini; “Die Fledermaus” (The Bat) by Strauss; “Cendrillon” (Cinderella) by Jules Massenet; and “Falstaff” by Verdi.

WVU voice students performing include Janine Ernsting, Sheena Chopra, Devan Balaguer, Konrad Geiser, Luke Diamond, Jocelyn Raychel, Nicoletta Ciampa, Alex Anderson, Brandon Foster, Denise Battle, Sarah Perconte, Mikaela Sullivan, Callie Merz, Aaron Scarberry, Katti Grosso, Lexi Smith, Robert Rowley, John Scherch, Dallas Wright, David O’Donnell, Natilan Crutcher, Elizabeth McCormick, Kathryn Shepas, Erin Handley and Leigh Usilton.

Different students will perform the roles on alternate days. Accompanists will be pianists Yana Tyulkova and Youna Choi.

For tickets and information, call the WVU Box Office at 304-293-SHOW (7469).

-WVU-

dm/01/21/14

CONTACT: Charlene Lattea, College of Creative Arts
304-293-4359, Charlene.Lattea@mail.wvu.edu

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