Sept. 23, 2015
Contact Jen Roberdeau at 608-796-3738 or jaroberdeau@viterbo.edu
VITERBO UNIVERSITY TO PRESENT HANDEL’S OPERA ACIS AND GALATEA AT THE WEBER CENTER OCT. 3–4
LA CROSSE, Wis. – The talented singers and actors of the Viterbo University music department will perform George Frideric Handel’s famous opera Acis and Galatea at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4 at the Weber Center for the Performing Arts.
“The music is outstanding and the story is dynamic and exciting,” said guest director and professional opera singer Liam Moran.
Acis and Galatea is the tragic story of the nymph Galatea, who is in love with the shepherd Acis. Their love is thwarted by the Cyclops Polyphemus, who is himself in love with Galatea. This modernized Viterbo production is set in early 20th century America.
“We opted for a straightforward and updated staging that still preserves and accentuates the story’s dramatic thrust,” Moran said. “It’s the classic story of boy gets girl, boy loses girl presented in a much more human and relatable way. We’ve done away with many of the classical and magical trappings, but the narrative remains—love is strong, jealousy equally so, power is generally intractable, and heroic labors end tragically.”
Moran is joined by Viterbo faculty members Dan Johnson-Wilmot, who is serving as the music director, and Jean Saladino, who is the choral director. Nikki Balsamo, owner and artistic director of the La Crosse Dance Centre, is the choreographer.
Acis and Galatea stars Viterbo students Arianna Day, Joseph Madary, Margaret Moyer, Austin Sanders, and Emma Woods. The opera also features dancers from the La Crosse Dance Centre and an orchestra of local musicians.
“The talented cast is well-prepared,” Moran said. “And I’m thrilled to have four terrific young women from the La Crosse Dance Centre join us for this production. They bring both depth and variety to our storytelling.”
This performance is part of Viterbo University’s Chamber Opera series. An Arts in Context discussion will be held following the Oct. 3 performance.
Tickets are $14 for general admission seating and are available at the Viterbo University Fine Arts Center Box Office. For more information or to order tickets, contact the Viterbo box office at 608-796-3100 or visit www.viterbo.edu/tickets. Tickets are also available at the Weber Center for the Performing Arts on the days of the performance.
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