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Opera workshop performs "Orfeo"

March 29, 2007

KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University's Opera Workshop and Collegium Musicum will join forces to present scenes from Claudio Monteverdi's Baroque opera, "Orfeo," in a single performance at 8:15 p.m. Thursday, April 5, in the Dalton Center Recital Hall. The concert is free and open to the public.

The opera, which depicts the ancient Greek myth Orpheus' descent into Hades to reclaim his bride Eurydice, premiered 400 years ago in Mantua, Italy. It is the earliest opera for which complete orchestral instructions still exist. Lutenist Dr. John Robison of the University of South Florida will participate as a guest artist, joining a 30-member student chorus and 23-member orchestra, which will include instruments from the 1600s, the era in which the opera originally debuted.

The performance represents the first collaboration between WMU's opera program and the Collegium Musicum. It is the first time that "Orfeo" has been presented on campus.

Media contact: Kevin West, (269) 387-4678, kevin.west@wmich.edu

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