The UMKC Conservatory Opera Theatre presents George Frideric Handel's Rodelinda, March 23–25, 7:30 p.m., March 26, 2:30 p.m., White Recital Hall. This year the opera is directed by Joseph DeSota, and guest conducted by Cara Chowning. Fenlon Lamb is the Conservatory's Director of Opera. Artist in residency Estelí Gomez worked with students during her residency.
DeSota notes, "Handel's Rodelinda is a story of the quest for political power and how far one will go to reach the top. The characters play a political game of chess in which some stay true to their morals and other do not.
We have set this production in 1930s Italy during the rise of the Fascist regime. In 1922 Mussolini and 30,000 Blackshirts of the National Fascist Party stormed Rome and overthrew the Prime Minister. Thus began a 21-year struggle between the Fascist party and the Italian people until the regime was finally removed.
Political struggle is an ever-current issue throughout countries across the world. Some leaders rule for the sake of power and others for the good of the people. One can always hope the later will prevail."
The opera is in White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, UMKC campus, 4949 Cherry, March 23–25, 7:30 p.m. and a matinee, Sunday, March 26, 2:30 p.m. Tickets are only $12 for the general public and FREE to UMKC faculty, staff, and all students with a UMKC or valid student ID.
Conservatory professor Alison DeSimone gives a pre-opera talk at 7 p.m. and 2 p.m. (for Sunday's performance.)