February 27, 2009
University Center for the Arts
1400 Remington Street
Fort Collins, CO 80524
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 Tonight is the opening of the very beautiful fairy tale La Cenerentol (Cinderella) by Gioacchino Rossini, presented by CSU Opera Theatre. February 27, 28, and March 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday March 8 at 2:00 p.m.
In this special edition of our e-mail newsletter, read a message from the director Tiffany Blake, meet the cast, and find out about special nightly themes including a book drive and dinner package in collaboration with Café Vino.
To help you enjoy this great family friendly production, children under 12 are free with a paying adult.
We hope to see you this weekend or next!
Sincerely,
CSU Vocal Faculty and La Cenerentola Director |
| OPERA THEATRE PRESENTS "LA CENERENTOLA" (CINDERELLA) |
CSU Opera Threatre explores the comedy and deep pathos of the storybook tale of La Cenerentola (Cinderella) by Gioacchino Rossini. Considered one of his finest vocal compositions, Opera Theatre portrays Cinderella in a whole new light. The production, under the direction of Voice faculty Tiffany Blake in her debut at CSU, is Rossini's adaptation to the classic fairy tale, presented in Italian with English supertitles.
When & Where
Friday, February 27, Saturday, February 28, and Friday, March 6 at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, March 8 at 2:00 p.m., Griffin Concert Hall, UCA, $9/CSU students, $20/public, Children under 12 FREE with $20 ticket. Additional charges may apply for special events BUY TICKETS |
| MEET THE CAST |
 Tracy Kaufmann - Cenerentola - Tracy graduated magna cum laude from Boston University, where she attended on a vocal performance scholarship, with a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice Performance and Music Education, and is a first year Master of Music student at Colorado State University. READ MORE Amy Van Mechelen - Tisbe - is from Seattle, WA and is a first year grad student studying vocal performance. Amy is a versatile performer in the realm of musical theater, jazz, cabaret, and opera. Last semester she played Olga Olsen in Street Scene. READ MORE
 Joshua Savage - Dandini - is a sophomore Vocal Performance major and Theatre minor, appearing in Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors, Verdi's Falstaff, and Weill's Street Scene. He has also been active in local theatre, most recently as "Jackie Sparks" in Bas Bleu's world premiere production of 1940's Radio Christmas Carol. READ MORE
 CJ Carpenter - Assistant Director - CJ is a Connecticut-native, born and raised in the small town of Ridgefield. He moved to Colorado in 2007 to continue his undergraduate degree at Colorado State University. He has worked with the School of the Arts in the Department of Music, Theatre & Dance and with Colorado State Opera Theatre. READ MORE |
| SPECIALS AND THEMES |
 Come see Cinderella in a whole new light with special themes for each performance.
BOOK DRIVE benefitting "Invisible Children Biggest Book Drive". Bring your donated books to fill the shelves on the set.
 February 27, 28, and March 6 - Enjoy a special menu and dinner package developed by Cafe Vino exclusively for CSU Opera Theatre. Details
February 27 - Opening Night Gala and Silent Auction Fundraiser - bid on donated items displayed in the Griffin Lobby prior to the performance and at intermission.
February 28 - Prospective Student Night and Talk-Back-enjoy a post-performance discussion led by the director, Tiffany Blake joined by the La Cenerentola performers.
 March 6 - Music Education Advocacy Presentation and Tea-enjoy a 1:00 p.m.pre-performance presentation by CSU Opera Theatre and Opera Fort Collins director Todd Queen joined by OFC Apprentice Artists. Join Cinderella and the Prince for tea and cookies in the Griffin Lobby. Special Ticket price: youth 12 and under FREE with paying adult. | |
| UPCOMING EVENTS |
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Don't miss out on the Pick 6 Music Pass where you can get tickets to 6 concerts for the price of 5 - on sale through March 25. Pass is for admission to 5 Ensemble/Virtuoso Series Concerts and 1 Guest Artist Performance for just $55. A $10 savings over buying individual tickets! Contact the Box Office at 970.491.TIXS or online at www.csutix.com. | |
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Special Thanks to Our Green Sponsor
The excellent production and design teams and I set about creating a fairy tale come to life. In staging the overture in a neglected library, we were able to communicate the idea that there is magic to be found in losing yourself in a book. Using a storybook with projections as our centerpiece set piece allows the audience to understand the deeper subtext of the opera. We all know that the book always gives more information than the movie (or opera!) can. 
Rossini's expert handling of large ensembles is at its best in this work. His signature use of moments of shocked "silence" in the score inspired me to turn these into moments during which time is altered. The singers act in slow motion, in freezes and in tableaus during which the audience is told of their inner thoughts. The characters that Rossini creates provide wonderful contrasts. There are moments of hilarity and deep pathos.