The Department of Music in the College of Charleston School of the Arts will present a CofC Opera production of Giacomo Puccini’s “Suor Angelica” and Gian Carlo Menotti’s “The Old Maid and the Thief.” The production will take place January 30, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. and February 1, 2015 at 4 p.m.at the Recital Hall in the Simons Center for the Arts (54 St. Philip St.). Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for College of Charleston students.
TICKETS: Purchase tickets here.
David Templeton, associate professor of voice/opera, directs the performance featuring talented voice majors from the College’s Department of Music. He described the event as, “A very powerful production ranging from the uproarious comedy of ‘The Old Maid and the Thief’ to the gripping sorrow of ‘Suor Angelica.’”
Menotti’s “The Old Maid and the Thief” is a twisted tale of morals and evil womanly power. A handsome beggar takes up lodging in the home of a middle-aged spinster and her young servant. Infatuation overcomes the women, which begins a series of questionable decisions. Commissioned by the National Broadcasting Company (NBC), the opera was among the first written specifically for the radio and premiered in 1939.
Students comprise the cast with Clare Elich portraying the Old Maid and Ashley Fabian and Tatiana Hoover sharing the role of Laetitia (the servant).
“Suor Angelica,” translated as “Sister Angelica,” is a one-act opera that is part of the trio of operas known as trittico or Triptych. The story begins with scenes depicting typical life in the convent, yet takes a quick shift after the nuns begin to discuss their greatest desires.
Student Cherise Sickles plays the title role.
Templeton mentioned, “This is our first attempt at the drama of a full-fledged Romantic Opera of Puccini, and we have the voices to do it. I’m very excited to bring this to the College of Charleston opera audiences.”
