Belton, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor’s Opera program under the direction of George Hogan will present two performances of The Marriage of Figaro on Friday, April 1, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 3, at 2:30 p.m. at the Azalee Marshall Cultural Activities Center (CAC) in Temple.
The Marriage of Figaro, an opera in four acts composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with a libretto by Lorenzo DaPonte, premiered in 1786 in Vienna. The Marriage of Figaro is a comedy, at least in operatic terms. The story deals with the efforts of Figaro and Susanna, two servants in the household of a count, to get married.
Figaro, the valet to Count Almaviva, and Susanna, the maid to the Countess, are about to be married. Susanna tells Figaro that the Count has had his eye on her. Figaro is angry and decides to make the Count dance to a new tune. He shares his plan with Susanna and the Countess. They all agree that the Count needs to be taught a good lesson. The former guardian of the Countess, Dr. Bartolo, arrives with Marcellina, his old housekeeper. She and Bartolo want to enforce a loan agreement that will require Figaro to marry Marcellina if he does not repay the money that he owes her. Figaro manages to escape marriage to Marcellina by explaining that he cannot get his parent's consent to marry her due to the fact that he was kidnapped as a baby. After closer scrutiny Marcellina and Bartolo discover that Figaro is actually their son. The Count's page, Cherubino, further complicates matters with his lovesick behavior. The various plots ebb and flow until they reach a climax that evening in the garden. Susanna and the Countess have switched clothes, impersonating each other, in hopes of catching the Count red-handed. Everyone ends up in the garden, confused and blundering in the dark. Only the Countess and Susanna know what is actually transpiring. When all identities are revealed, the Count is humbled and asks for his wife's forgiveness. She lovingly forgives him and peace and harmony are restored.
This event qualifies as a Fine Arts Experience (FAE) credit for UMHB students. The Fine Arts Experience program endeavors to expose students to a wide variety of artistic expression during their time on campus. To this end, students are required to attend at least one designated Fine Arts Experience event each semester.
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor students, faculty, and staff are eligible for one free ticket to either performance. General admission tickets are $15. Seniors and children can get in for just $10.
For more information about UMHB Opera, call (254) 295-4680.
CAST LIST
Figaro:.......... Clinton Barrineau
Susanna:....... Julia Brown
Countess:..... Jessica Gonzalez
Count:.......... Terry Livingston
..................... Chaz Corder
Cherubino:... Tiffany Collazo
Marcellina:... Amanda Curry
Bartolo: ....... Evan Clawson
Basilio: ........ Stephen Ash
Don Curzio:. Cardarious Bonner
Barbarina:.... Amberlee Pendleton
..................... Katherine Spellmon
Antonio:....... Zach Hyde
Cover Cast:.. Joshua French
..................... Juanita Ortiz
OPERA ORCHESTRA
1st Violins:... Janet Crawford
..................... Jennifer Jackson
..................... Joan Carlson
..................... June Solomonson
2nd Violins:. Amanda Schubert
..................... Naomi Frausti
..................... Sarah Mukaddasi
..................... Michael MacLaughlin
Viola:........... John Holquin
..................... Rebekah Ward
Cello:........... Sibora Miloradovic
Double Bass: Ricardo Zuniga
Flute/Piccolo: Erin Gibson
Oboe:........... Emily Moscoso
Clarinet:....... Michelle Palmer
..................... Chloe Hoover
Bassoon:...... Jacob Bridges
Horns:.......... Brett Kroening
..................... Jamie Sanborn
Trumpet:...... Jim Gibson
Timpani:....... Stephen Crawford
Harpsichord: Nelda Milligan
TECHNICAL & FACULTY
George Hogan, Director, Conductor, Set Designer
Penny Hogan, Assistant Stage Director
Byron Lovelace, Technical Director
Jesse Wyman, Lighting Director
Matthew Manchigiah, Stage Manager
Roxanne Bodkin, Props Manager
Nelda Milligan, Rehearsal Piano
