UGA Opera Theatre presents "L'Amico Fritz" Feb. 20 - 22

The University of Georgia Opera Theatre presents L’Amico Fritz, Pietro Mascagni’s whimsical tale of 19^th century romance, at the university’s Fine Arts Theatre on Feb. 20 and 21 at 8 p.m., with a special matinee performance on Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $18, or $5 for UGA students with ID, and are available from the Performing Arts Center box office, via phone at 706/542-4400, and online at www.pac.uga.edu.

“I have wanted to bring this particular opera to UGA ever since I arrived here,” said Frederick Burchinal, Wyatt & Margaret Anderson Professor in the Arts at UGA and director of the Opera Theatre. “I had the opportunity to perform it with the San Francisco Opera in 1976, and fell in love with it. Now, we have the students in place to bring it to life.”

The opera tells the tale of wealthy landowner who bets that he will never marry, wagering his entire vineyard to his best friend. When Suzel, the daughter of Fritz's tenant, arrives on scene, things become much more complicated for the bachelor. The “Cherry Duet,” sung between Fritz and Suzel in Act 2, has become a staple of operatic duet repertoire.

“It’s a rare gem—a beautifully written opera about an unlikely couple who end up finding love,” said Burchinal. “L’Amico Fritz is full of melodies so enchanting that they touch listeners as much as performers.”

UGA’s production will feature Brett Pardue as the career bachelor Fritz, Isaiah Feken as his friend Rabbi David, and Elisabeth Slaten as the young Suzel. The cast also includes students Marisan Corsino (Beppe), Dinesh Gurpur (Federico), Henry Adams (Hanezò), Alexis Minogue (Caterina), and the UGA Opera Ensemble Chorus.

The performance welcomes back special guest conductor Maestro Imre Palló, who most recently joined the UGA Opera Theatre for their 2014 production of The Elixir of Love. Palló’s international career includes a 20-year position with the New York City Opera at Lincoln Center as one of its Principal Conductors. Palló will be joined by longtime New York City Opera stage director Albert Sherman.

“Mascagni did a beautiful job of depicting the gradual coming-together of two souls,” said Burchinal. “It is quite beautiful in its simplicity.”

Tickets for the three performances are $18/$5 for students and available via the UGA Performing Arts Center box office at 706/542/4400 or online at www.uga.edu/pac.