Arts and Entertainment

Penn State Opera Theatre to present four performances of 'Impressions'

Credit: Cody GoddardAll Rights Reserved.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Opera Theatre will present "Impressions: An Evening of French Opera" at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 24, 26, 28 and 30 at the Penn State Downtown Theatre Center, 146 South Allen Street in State College. Each performance features two seminal French operas from the 20th century: "Impressions of Pelléas," a re-imagining of Claude Debussy's opera "Pelléas et Melisande" by Marius Constant and Peter Brook, and Francis Poulenc's "La Voix Humaine" (The Human Voice), a searing monodrama with text by French playwright and artist Jean Cocteau.

Tickets are available at any Arts Ticket Center location, by phone at 814-863-0255 or 1-800-ARTS-TIX, or online at Penn State Arts Ticket Center. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $6 for students.

"Impressions of Pelléas," which reduces Debussy's large-scale symphonic work to six characters and two pianos, tells the story of a love triangle with the mysterious Melisande at the center, the passions that run amok as a result, and the cost those passions exact on everyone involved.  

"La Voix Humaine" features Penn State senior Lisa Marie Rogali (last seen as Musetta in Penn State Opera Theatre's triumphant "La Bohème") in the role of the lost soul at the center of the drama, clinging tenuously to her one connection to the outside world — the human voice — heard through the telephone line. Both operas are performed in English. Don't miss this opportunity to see the stars of tomorrow on stage today!

Penn State Opera Theatre, directed by Ted Christopher, is an ensemble dedicated to the study and production of operas and operatic scenes. The repertoire varies year to year and is tailored to the needs and strengths of the participating students. Every year, at least one fully staged work will be presented. Recent operas performed at Penn State include "Le Nozze di Figaro," "Hansel and Gretel," "The Coronation of Poppea," "The Consul," "The Old Maid and the Thief," "Les Arts Florissants," and "Trial By Jury." These works have been presented in collaboration with other ensembles, such as the Penn State Philharmonic Orchestra and Penn State Baroque Ensemble. Students who desire to participate in opera theatre must audition and then play “as cast” in particular productions. The expectation is that a student will be available for all scheduled rehearsals and performances.

Lisa Rogali in "La Voix Humaine" Credit: Cody GoddardAll Rights Reserved.

Last Updated October 20, 2015