Laughter fills MAC at opera opener

The opening of “L’Italiana in Algeri” marked the beginning of the 2009-10 season for the IU Opera Theater at the Musical Arts Center. The Jacobs School of Music Concert Orchestra, conducted by Jacobs conducting professor Arthur Fagen, accompanied the cast for this production.

The principal characters are Jacobs students, all of whom are studying voice.

Freshman Torrey Byrd said she was impressed by the singing.

“The voices are incredible,” she said.

The audience consisted of patrons of the opera as well as inexperienced students, including freshman Emily Myers.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” Myers said. “This is my first opera.”

The lobby outside of the theater had display cases of costume pieces used in earlier productions of the opera. The same attention to detail in these historic pieces was given to the set and costume design of this most recent production.

Byrd said she was impressed with the appearance from the audience.

“The sets are amazing,” Myers said.

Stage director Vincent Liotta gave the same amount of attention to his cast in directions. His choreography drew laughs from the audience, especially during the end of Act I, when the lovers are reunited and confusion sweeps through the court.

“It’s really fun and crazy and chaotic,” Byrd said.

Krsto Culfic, a 2009 IU graduate, returned to the MAC to see the show.

“I was blown away,” Culfic said. “It’s amazing.”

As the audience slowly left the MAC, their smiles never faded. Many were still chuckling about the humorous ending. Byrd said this is a good show for people who are new to the opera scene.

“This show is something everyone should see,” Byrd said.