UM workshop blends opera, Shakespeare

ORONO — William Shakespeare is the man of the hour when the University of Maine’s School of Performing Arts presents its spring opera workshop, “Touches of Sweet Harmony: Shakespeare in Opera and Song,” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 10.

The workshop presentation takes place in the Minsky Music Recital Hall, Class of 1944 Hall. Presented by voice students in the opera workshop program, the presentations include selections from several operas based on the plays of William Shakespeare. Excerpts from Gounod’s “Romeo and Juliet,” Verdi’s “Macbeth” and “Otello,” Brittens’ “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and Lee Hoiby’s “The Tempest” will be heard. Scenes from the plays alternate with their operatic counterparts.

The evening includes settings of Shakespeare’s songs by Gerald Finzi and concludes with Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Serenade to Music,” a setting of text from “The Merchant of Venice.”

The production is directed by Francis John Vogt and accompanied by pianist Allison Moore, both instructors of music in the School of Performing Arts.

Tickets may be purchased at the door or through the Maine Center for the Arts box office at 581-1755 or 1-800-622-8499.