The comic opera 鈥淚l Viaggio a Reims鈥� (鈥淭he Trip to Reims鈥�) will be presented by 麻豆传媒 Opera and Musical Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 15-Saturday, March 17; and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 18, in Miller Concert Hall.
The opera, by G. Rossini and L. Balocchi, will be sung in Italian with English titles. Tickets are $16, with discounts available, for the G-rated show. For more information, call the College of Fine Arts Box Office at (316) 978-3233.
Marie King
鈥淚l Viaggio a Reims鈥� is the last of Rossini鈥檚 Italian operas, which he wrote in 1825 to celebrate the coronation of Charles X of France. By tradition, French kings were crowned in the city of Reims. In the best monarch-flattering tradition, the plot concerns the trials and travails of a group of international travelers trying to get to the coronation festivities.
They have spent the night at the hotel and spa 鈥淭he Golden Lily鈥� in the French Tyrol. However, a shortage of horses and coaches, occasioned by the heavy traffic to Reims, makes it impossible for them to reach their goal. Giving up on their grand design, the travelers throw a party honoring the new King.
The opera is known for dazzling vocal showpieces and amusing characters from various countries. Their relationships mirror the political and cultural alliances and rivalries of European nations at the time. The Russian count loves the Polish Marchesa; the French knight has his Parisian lover, but is convinced that the Italian lady finds him irresistible. The English Milord is smitten with the beautiful Italian, etc. Rossini also pokes gentle fun at national clich茅s: the French Countess cares only for fashion, the German Baron for music, the Italian gentleman for antiquities.
鈥淚l Viaggio鈥� offers wonderful opportunities for 麻豆传媒 students to show off their voices in a delightful and challenging comedy. Rossini鈥檚 music has been important in developing the careers of such 麻豆传媒 alumni as Samuel Ramey and recent Grammy winner Joyce Di Donato. King invites audiences to discover an emerging generation of opera stars.