Thomas Potter, Program Director
PO Box 161354
Orlando, FL 32816-1354
407-823-4680
UCF Opera functions as a major service program to the voice division of the University of Central Florida Department of Music. The principal mission of UCF Opera is to produce quality opera performances that entertain and educate for the betterment of its students and the enjoyment of the greater Orlando public. The program currently produces three types of performance opportunities: an Annual Opera Gala Concert in the fall semester, a fully staged and costumed opera production in the spring, and an educational outreach component, offering performances of children’s operas to school children throughout the greater Orlando area.
Opera Gala Concert – Sunday, November 23, 2008
Students of the UCF Opera program present arias, ensembles, and scenes from operas in a concert setting. Several of the scenes within each year’s program are partially staged, but this event is mostly about experiencing some of the greatest opera music ever written in a live concert. The performance will take place in the Visual Arts Building Auditorium on the UCF main campus. Support this effort with your presence – open to the public and FREE OF CHARGE!
Spring Opera – February 28 and March 1, 2009
This year, UCF Opera is proud to announce that it will partner with the UCF Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Laszlo Marosi in the presentation of two one-act operas:
John Duke’s CAPTAIN LOVELOCK is based on Ludvig Holberg’s comedy “The Changed Bridegroom”. Terentia, an elderly and wealthy widow, returns home from a visit to the city determined to marry a young military officer. Her maid [Pernille] and two daughters [Leonora and Laurentia] enlist the help of the local matchmaker [Madame Kirsten] to foil these plans. They devise a COSI FAN TUTTE style deception that helps bring Terentia back to her senses. The music is light and fun in this Gilbert and Sullivan style 40-minute comedy which premiered in 1953.
Though most often presented during the Christmas season, Gian Carlo Menotti’s AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS premiered in theaters in February [Indiana University] and April [New York City Opera] of the year 1952. Performed on every continent and in many languages, it has been seen by more people than any other opera in history. The story tells of the night on which the three kings, following the star to Bethlehem, stop for shelter at the home of Amahl, a poor, crippled shepherd boy who lives with his widowed mother. Neighbors and shepherds who have heard about the royal visitors bring gifts and food to them and dance for them. As the kings prepare to continue their journey, Amahl offers his most precious possession, his crutch, as a gift to the Christ child. The kings invite him to accompany them. Amahl bids a tearful farewell to his mother and leaves with the kings, miraculously cured of his lameness.
Educational Outreach
This year’s educational outreach program continues with performances of the 45 minute opera called CARMENELLA, the Cinderella Story set to musical excerpts from Bizet’s CARMEN, but with a bullfighting twist. The stepsisters, who are gang members, figure out that violence is a no-win proposition and everyone realizes that being yourself and trying to make a positive difference for others makes for a happy ending. UCF Opera students are also preparing a new opera on the subject of JACK AND THE BEAN STOCK. Schools and other organizations interested in sponsoring one of these children’s operas should contact Professor Potter through the email address given above.
