UM Opera Theatre Ensemble will present The Merry Wives of Windsor; A Comic Opera in Three Acts by Otto Nicolai at the Ford Center on Friday, April 19 at 8 pm, and Sunday, April 21 at 3 pm.
Julia Aubrey, Director of Opera Theatre, invites all ages to an evening of delightful music and drama performed by the UM Opera Theatre Ensemble and supported by the L-O-U Orchestra. Based on Shakespeare’s play, Otto Nicolai and Hermann von Mosenthal wrote the operatic version of The Merry Wives of Windsor to focus on the female characters. Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Page concoct a humorous plot to punish the fat knight, Falstaff, for his audacity in wooing both the married women at the same time. The Ford’s marriage is hampered by Mr. Ford’s jealous rages and the women include his “education” as a byproduct of the comedy. The love story between Anne Page and Fenton, complicated by unsympathetic parents and two rivals, provide perfect subject matter for Nicolai’s tuneful melodies. Disguises, a flurry of letters, a laundry basket, and a play-within-a-play create a light frolic for the characters and the audience. In the starring role as Falstaff is Dr. Bradley Robinson.
This production combines the best of Shakespeare and opera beautifully produced by students and faculty of the Department of Music.
For tickets contact the UM Box Office at (662) 915-7411 or www.olemiss.edu/depts/tickets.
