The Merry Widow at the Opera Workshop Dinner Gala on April 14

March 13, 2000 -- The Opera Workshop of the University of Virginia will present Franz Lehar's timeless and universally popular operetta The Merry Widow (Die lustige witwe), for its annual Spring production. The operetta will be sung in German with English dialogues and will be directed by U.Va. Opera Director and Artistic Director of Operafestival di Roma, Louisa Takahashi. Featuring singers from the U.Va. Opera Workshop, this year's production will also boast the participation of a number of guest artists. Kara Harman who has sung leading roles with the Tri-Cities Opera and the James River Chamber Opera will sing Hanna (the merry widow). Sam Savage, a veteran of the New York City Opera and a voice faculty member at U.Va., will sing the role of Danilo, and Matt Hassmer, a young professional and graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, will sing Camille.

In addition, the production will include the participation of the performing dance company of the Dance Etcetera School of the Arts in Washington, led by choreographer and lead dancer, Dana Boyle. These guest artists will be joined by some of U.Va.'s most talented singers. Julie Perkins will share the role of Hanna; My-Van Nguyen will sing Valencienne; Peter Eubanks, Baron Zeta; Richard Spencer, Njegus; and Tim Mayfield and Andrew Spilman, Cascada and St. Brioche respectively. Costumes originally designed by Dorothy Smith for the Operafestival di Roma production of The Merry Widow in Rome in 1999 have been contributed to The Opera Workshop for the production. The musical coach is Brooke Joyce.

The Merry Widow will be presented at the Opera Workshop Dinner gala on April 14 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $75 for all. Please call 924-3984 for location, reservations and more information.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Contact the Office of University Relations at (804) 924-7116. Television reporters should contact the TV News Office at (804) 924-7550.
SOURCE: U.Va. News Services

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