UGA Opera Theatre to present 'Tales of Hoffman'

In October, UGA Opera Theatre will present a concert performance of Offenbach's Tales of Hoffman:

Jacques Offenbach’s supernatural tale of unrequited love, in a two-night presentation on Thursday, October 11 and Saturday, October 13 at 8 p.m. in Hodgson Concert Hall. Tickets for the program, part of the 2012-2013 2^nd Thursday Scholarship Concert Series in the Hugh Hodgson School of Music, 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.

The UGA Opera Theatre, under the direction of Frederick Burchinal, will present highlights of The Tales of Hoffmann in a full-concert performance, joined by the UGA Symphony Orchestra and Hodgson Singers, conducted by Mark Cedel. The opera will be performed in French with surtitles provided by Chadwick Creative Arts.

Offenbach, long known for his lightweight operettas, died shortly before Hoffmann’s 1881 Parisian premiere, never to know how well-regarded the opera would become. “This is his greatest work,” said Burchinal, Wyatt and Margaret Anderson Professor in the Arts at UGA.  “Audience members will recognize much of the music, even though it isn’t the most famous of operas, and the opportunity to see something new will leave the audience enriched, both musically and dramatically.”

The performance will feature tenor and DMA student Joseph Brent, fresh off of his tour of major league baseball parks. Though seriously, Brent did sing the role of Rodolfo in several performances La Boheme in Italy this summer and it's always a treat to hear him sing. Our opera program is highly accomplished, and each time out is a reminder of the talent, hard work and dedication these students put into their art. Dont' miss this performance. For tickets, go here.

Image: Hodgson School of Music students Joe Brent and Addie Hamilton in last year's production of Pirates of Penzance.