Crested Butte Music Festival to present “The Marriage of Figaro” on July 24 at WSC
July 13, 2009 -- The Crested Butte Music Festival is coming to Gunnison with a performance of W.A. Mozart’s comedic opera, “The Marriage of Figaro,” on Friday, July 24 at Western State College. The performance will begin at 7 p.m. in the Taylor Auditorium.
Following the performance, WSC Trustees Valerie Schmalz and Sandy Mark will host a dessert reception with the conductor and cast members in the Studio Theatre Lobby.
One of Mozart’s finest masterpieces, "The Marriage of Figaro" is based on the comedy by Pierre Beaumarchais, with a libretto written by Lorenzo da Ponte. This production will be performed in its original Italian with English supertitles.
The performance features singers from the Opera Young Artist program, as well as professionals from such prestigious opera houses as La Scala in Milan, the Metropolitan Opera of New York and London’s Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. Former professional football player Keith Miller sings the role of Figaro and is the artistic manager of the opera. He is a bass-baritone who is on the Metropolitan Opera’s roster. Colorado-native Kara Guggenmos performs as Susanna, Figaro’s fiancé. She has been a Metropolitan Opera National Council regional finalist and district winner. Award-winning soprano Joyce El-Khoury returns to the festival for the role of Countess. Playing the role of Count, baritone Kelly Markgraf has been praised by the New York Times for his “charismatic” and “heart-stirring” singing. He recently completed his tenure at the Juilliard Opera Center. Sarah Meyers of the Metropolitan Opera is the stage director and David Syrus, head of music for the Royal Opera in Covent Garden, is the conductor.
Tickets are $30 for adults and $10 for students and children. They can be purchased online at www.crestedbuttemusicfestival.com or by calling (970) 349-0619.
