UWS music department and opera workshop to present The Mikado

3/15/2009

On March 31st and April 1st only, the University of Wisconsin Superior Music Department and Opera Workshop program invites you to experience topsy-turvy operetta at its finest with their production of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado, at 7pm, showing in the Thorpe Langley Auditorium.

The Mikado is one of Gilbert and Sullivan's most well known works, received highly by both opera nuts and novices alike. It is with this all-inviting piece of art that the UW-Superior Opera Workshop hopes to begin a tradition of quality opera productions.

“[The Mikado] is a quick-witted, happy story with recognizable and memorable music,” said Dr. Vicki Fingalson, Professor of Voice and Opera at UWS, as well as Opera Workshop Artistic and Stage Director. “It is appropriate for undergraduate voices, as well as being accessible to a variety of audiences.”

The UW-Superior Opera Workshop has slowly built their way up to this production, their latest advance being the Superior Voices benefit held in April of 2009. At this performance, the students of UWS sang along side internationally accomplished operatic artists John DeHaan and Cynthia Lawrence. Fingalson expressed her confidence in her students' ability to make the next step in the Opera Workshop Program's advancement.

“Each rehearsal brings new growth and development, which is always exciting for an educator to see,” said Fingalson. “It is very gratifying to see students work hard to develop skills and a passion for an art from about which I care so deeply.”

Other UW-Superior ensembles will also be featured in the debut performance. Providing the orchestra for The Mikado is the UWS Chamber Orchestra under the baton of Dr. Erin Adlridge, along with members of the UWS Chamber Choir, prepared by Dr. Matt Faerber, on stage to fill in as members of the chorus.

Tickets for The Mikado are $8 for adults and $3 for students at presentation of a valid student ID. Tickets may be purchased at the door the night of the performance. No ticket reservations will be taken for either performance nights. For ticket or performance information, call 715-394-8115.

For directions to UW-Superior and campus maps, go to www.uwsuper.edu/maps.

UW-Superior is Wisconsin’s Leading Public Liberal Arts College, preparing students for lifelong learning and rewarding careers through more than 26 undergraduate and graduate programs offered on campus along with degrees offered through distance learning. The university is a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges and plays a central role in the University of Wisconsin System’s Growth Agenda for Wisconsin.