Sept. 24, 2013

Contact David Richardson at
608-796-3781 or dkrichardson@viterbo.edu

VITERBO UNIVERSITY CHAMBER OPERA SERIES TO OPEN WITH DIDO AND AENEAS OCT. 4–6

LA
CROSSE, Wis. – The 2013–14 Viterbo University Chamber Opera Series will open
with Henry Purcell’s classic Baroque opera Dido
and Aeneas Friday, Oct. 4–Sunday, Oct. 6 in the Fine Arts Center Recital
Hall.

Widely considered one of the greatest English
operas of the 17th century, Dido and
Aeneas is the story of Dido, the queen of Carthage, and her love for Trojan
hero Aeneas.

“Dido
and Aeneas will appeal to a wide audience,” said David Richardson, Viterbo
faculty member and music director of the production. “It’s concise, the plot
moves along quickly, and of course, it features beautiful music.”

A string quartet and a harpsichord
player will provide music for the production, giving it a more authentic sound
closer to the 1689 original production, Richardson said. A “Greek Chorus” is a
major part of the opera, and it provides “really gorgeous music,” Richardson
said.

Richardson is joined by his friend Nathan
Troup, who is the stage director for the production. Troup is the assistant
stage director at the Boston Conservatory and works exclusively with opera. He
will also hold master classes for students while at Viterbo. Viterbo music
faculty member Dan Johnson-Wilmot is the vocal coach for the production.

“Viterbo has a very strong music
program and very strong student singers,” Richardson said. “It’s always great
to showcase our students.”

Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4–5 and 2 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 6. Tickets are $12 for general admission seating. For more
information or to order tickets, contact the Viterbo box office at 608-796-3100
or visit www.viterbo.edu/tickets.

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