By Bridgette Sallee, student news writer
Campbellsville, Ky. – The Campbellsville University Opera Workshop will present “Gianni Schicci.” Nov. 17-19.
Shows are Saturday, Nov. 17 and Monday, Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 18 at 3 p.m.
All performances are in The Gheens Recital Hall. Tickets are available and must be reserved by calling (270) 789-5237. General admission is $5. Faculty, staff and students get in free.
Gianni Schicchi is an opera in one act written by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto by Giovacchino Forzano. It is the third of the trio of operas known as Il trittico. It was first performed in 1918 at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.
The storyline revolves around the death of a wealthy man, Buoso Donatti, and the schemes of his relatives to get their hands on his money. With the help of the cunning Gianni Schicchi, the relatives plan to change Donati’s will so they will be the sole inheritors of his fortune. However clever scheming by Schicchi produces an unexpected and unfavorable outcome for Donati’s relatives…
The opera workshop will perform the English version which was arranged by Anne and Herbert Grossman. It is under the direction of Dr. Mark Bradley, one of Campbellsville University’s vocal professors. Bradley will also be playing the part of Simone. Dr. Tony Cunha, assistant professor of music and director of the Concert Chorus, will also play a smaller part. The role of Gianni Schicchi will be played by Marcelo Ferreira of Recife, Brazil. It will also feature current and former students Seong-Ho Choi of Korea; Carmen Drake of Sonora, Ky.; Belani Segunda of Recife, Brazil; Jason Logan of Bowling Green, Ky.; Kevin Durham of Campbellsville, Ky.; Jeff Parks of Cincinnati, Oh.; Bridgette Sallee of Nicholasville, Ky.; Juliana Moura of Brazil; Mary Grace Lee of Liberty, Ky.; and Warren Akers of Campbellsville, Ky. It will be accompanied by Carla Farias of Brazil.
Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 2,405 students who represent 98 Kentucky counties, 25 states and 29 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News & World Report’s 2008 “America’s Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 22nd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South and eighth in the South for “Great Schools, Great Prices.” CU has been ranked 15 consecutive years with U.S.News & World Report. The university has also been named to America’s Best Christian Colleges®. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his ninth year as president.