YSU to Present the Opera ‘L’amico Fritz’
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University will present the opera “L’amico Fritz,” by Pietro Mascagni, for three performances this weekend in Spotlight Theater.
Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 22 and 23, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 24. The theater is on the lower level of Bliss Hall.
Dana faculty member Misook Yun is music director of the opera, which will feature members of the Dana Opera Ensemble.
“L’amico Fritz” is a romantic comedy opera representing the lighter side of 19th century verismo drama. Premiering in 1891, with the libretto by P. Suardon, the opera is based on the French novel “L’ami Fritz” by Émile Erckmann and Pierre-Alexandre Chatrian.
It is set in a small province where Fritz is the local benefactor. His generosity provides for the town’s orphans, wedding dowries, employment and entertainment. Townsfolk have just one misgiving about him: he is a bachelor and seems determined to remain so. However, the town’s rabbi and his friend, David, has other designs in mind for Fritz.
The production’s guest staging director is Todd Ranney, professor of voice and opera at Mansfield University of Pennsylvania.
The technical staff includes Ryan Fitzpatrick, technical director; James Oakry, lighting director and properties designer; and Marlina Karimi, graduate assistant. Kathryn Davison Miller is the collaborative pianist.
The cast includes Emilio Santiago, Marlina Karimi, Jaelynn Mack, Alexander Kluchar and Austin Angus. The roles of David and Caterina are double cast, with Christian Thompson (April 22 and 24) and Joseph Atkinson (April 23) as David, and Alexa Mosca (April 22 and 24) and Maria Anastasiades (April 23) as Caterina.
Tickets are $16 ($8 for non-YSU students, YSU faculty and staff with valid ID, YSU alumni, senior citizens, Penguin Club members and groups of eight or more). YSU student tickets are free with valid ID. Call 330 941 3105 or go to www.ysu.tix.com to purchase show tickets.
All seats are general admission.
Pictured: Marlina Karimi and Emilio Santiago in the Dana School of Music’s production of the opera “L’amico Fritz.”
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
