Opera at NJCU: Mozart's 'The Impresario' and Menotti's 'The Old Maid and the Thief' to Be Presented November 19 - 23 By Caroline L. Guarini Department of Music, Dance and Theatre

JERSEY CITY, N.J., Nov. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- New Jersey City University's Caroline L. Guarini Department of Music, Dance and Theatre will present Mozart's 'The Impresario' and Menotti's 'The Old Maid and the Thief,' November 19 through Sunday, November 23, in Margaret Williams Theatre of Hepburn Hall, on the University's Main Campus at 2039 Kennedy Boulevard in Jersey City.

Curtain time will be 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 20; Friday, November 21; and Saturday, November 22; and 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 23.  A free student matinee will be presented at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 19.

General admission is $15.00; student, senior citizen, and group admission is $5.00. To purchase tickets online visit njcu.edu/mdt. For further information call (201)200-3151.

NJCU faculty members guiding the productions are: Dr. Donna Connolly, coordinator of vocal studies; Michael Rau, director; and Lou Kosma, conductor of the NJCU Orchestra.

Mozart's "The Impresario"

"The Impresario," one of Mozart's greatest comic operas, is a melodic treat with graceful melodic line and colorful orchestration.

The featured character of "The Impresario" is Mr. Angel (tenor, senior Will Flaim of Leonia), who attempts to cajole two rival sopranos into appearing together in an upcoming opera. Both women possess outsized egos and crave solo spotlight. The temperamental Madame Silverpeal (soprano, sophomore Kaylan Calderon of Pensacola, Florida; soprano, junior Pamela Dempsey of Newark) appears first for her audition. She is less than pleased when Madame Goldentrill (soprano, graduate student Ioanna Tsakalakos of Nutley; soprano, Karin Figueras of Linden) interrupts the proceedings and flirts outrageously with Mr. Angel during her try-out. Predictably, the two exhibit mutual antagonism. After alternating solos, one soprano endeavoring to outdo the other, the two ultimately join Mr. Angel in a light-hearted contrapuntal trio.  In the end, harmony is established as the sopranos agree to appear together setting aside petty differences for the sake of art. The opera company's star basso buffo (baritone, senior Alex Maldonado of Collegeville, Pennsylvania) offers his congratulations as the divas prepare for their performance.  Who will receive top billing? It's anyone's guess. 

Menotti's "The Old Maid and the Thief"

A modern tale of twisted morals, "The Old Maid and the Thief" begins as local busybody Miss Todd (contralto, alumna Samille Ganges of Jersey City; graduate student Eden Rahming of Morris Plains) welcomes a visit from fellow gossip Miss Pinkerton (Ioanna Tsakalakos; soprano, freshman Elizabeth Smith of Newark). As they reminisce about old love affairs, there is a knock at the door. Laetitia, (Pamela Dempsey; soprano, alumna Jessica Tomasella of Millstone Township) the servant, leads in a Bob, (tenor, sophomore Israel Hernandez of Newark; baritone, graduate student LeAndre Scott of Jersey City) a beggar. Both women are starved for male company and are quickly won over by Bob's charm and good looks. They lavish him with food and invite him to stay permanently.

Meeting Miss Todd on the street, Miss Pinkerton mentions having heard reports that a thief who matches Bob's description has escaped from jail.  When Miss Todd suggests getting rid of him, Laetitia convinces her to allow him to stay and help him down a more righteous path. To keep him content, Miss Todd allows him to "steal" from her, and when her own money runs out, begins robbing the neighbors on behalf of her guest. Even so, eventually Bob becomes restless and threatens to leave. At the pleading of the women he consents to stay if they will buy him liquor. To avoid tarnishing her reputation by being seen purchasing alcohol, Miss Todd decides to rob the liquor store.

Miss Pinkerton informs Miss Todd that the thief is in town and has been robbing the community, but a famous detective has been hired to inspect every home until he is found. Laetitia and Miss Todd confront Bob, telling him they know he is the thief, and he responds that he is not. Miss Todd urges him to run away with her, until finally Bob says that he does not love her.  Upset, Miss Todd threatens to alert the police and accuse him of her own crimes. Seeing no alternative, Bob and Laetitia decide to elope, stealing many of Miss Todd's belongings, including her car. Upon returning she finds her house empty and the two gone.  She faints. 

Ellen Wayman-Gordon
Assistant Vice President for University Advancement-
Public Information and Community Relations
(201) 200-3426 | [email protected]

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141107/157406
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SOURCE New Jersey City University

Related Links

http://njcu.edu/mdt