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| (Photo submitted) Opera Iowa will perform "The Barber of Serville" at 7:30 p.m., tonight as part of the Spencer Area Concert Association series. The performers will also offer some instruction an an opera for students during the day. |
Opera Iowa is in Spencer today, offering multiple performances for area students, during the day, then again at 7:30 p.m. tonight.
The student performance of "A Dream Fulfilled" will begin at 10 a.m. The Opera Iowa participants will provide a clinic -- "What's My Aria" -- beginning at 1:40 p.m., for high school; and 1:46 p.m. and 2:29 p.m. - dealing with singers and vocal styles -- for the middle school students.
The Spencer Area Concert Association will present the Des Moines Metro Opera's award-winning touring company, Opera Iowa, in a performance of Rossini's "The Barber of Serville." It will be presented at the Old High School Auditorium at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 20 This fully-staged two-hour version of the opera will be sung in English.
The Barber of Seville is one of the most popular operas of all time. Gioacchino Rossini was only 24 years old when he wrote it, and the story goes that it was completed in 13 days. It was based on the first of three plays by the French playwright Beaumarchais, the second of which, The Marriage of Figaro, had already been turned into an opera by Mozart.
This opera tells the story of Count Almaviva's attempts to win the hand of the beautiful Rosina in marriage. Rosina, however, is kept a virtual prisoner by her guardian, Dr. Bartolo. Almaviva enlists the aid of his former servant, the crafty barber Figaro. Much of the opera action deals with the ingenious tricks and disguises Figaro uses to help liberate Rosina.
The Barber of Seville is part of the 2008--09 Spencer Area Concert Association concert series. Spencer, Sheldon, Algona, and Windom Concert Association season ticket holders can attend it at no additional charge by presenting their season tickets at the door.
* General admission tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students, or $20 for families. They can be purchased in advance at Arts on Grand or at the door on the evening of the performance.