CCM's Mainstage Opera Series Presents Donizetti's Comedic Masterpiece 'Don Pasquale' April 3-6

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music’s (CCM) Mainstage Opera Series proudly presents Gaetano Donizetti's

Don

Pasquale

from April 3–6 in UC’s Patricia Corbett Theater. This beloved opera buffa is conducted by Mark Gibson with stage direction by accomplished artist’s diploma student Omer Ben-Seadia. The opera will be sung in Italian with English supertitles.

A comedic masterpiece that has captivated audiences since its 1843 premiere,

Don Pasquale

remains one of the most popular of Donizetti's nearly 70 operas. On its surface, the opera details the plight of Ernesto, who fights to follow his heart rather than marry the woman his haughty old uncle Don Pasquale thinks he should. Outraged, the lifelong bachelor Pasquale decides to cut Ernesto out of his will and simply father his own heir, instead! A series of uproarious twists and turns ensues as a raucous ensemble of characters begin to take over the Pasquale homestead.

While it is easy to root for Ernesto and true love to prevail, Ben-Seadia suggests that it is Don Pasquale who serves as the true hero of this opera. She explains, “With all that is at stake, Pasquale is the one willing to risk it all... not just for love but for life. Sure we love to see him fail, but after all is said and done we look at Pasquale not with pity, but with the hope that he in fact will try again.”

About Omer Ben-Seadia

Omer Ben-Seadia, originally from Tel-Aviv, Israel, is an Artist’s Diploma candidate in Opera Directing at CCM. Following the completion of her degree, Ben-Seadia will join the Merola Opera Program as an apprentice stage director for the 2014 season and will be directing the Merola grand finale on the main stage of the War Memorial Opera House.

At CCM, she has directed several productions including Bizet's

Le Docteur Miracle

, Verdi's

Don Carlos

, J.S. Bach's

Saint John Passion

as well as various scenes programs.

Her recent works include

Let’s Cook up an Opera

with Cincinnati Opera,

Surviving the Amazing Opera Race

with Dayton Opera,

The Golden Vanity

with the Cincinnati Boychoir and

From Paris with Love

with the Israeli Opera.

Before moving to the United States, Ben-Seadia was a member of the staff at the Israeli Opera for almost a decade, where she directed and assisted many prominent and international productions including the world premier of Shochat's

The Child Dreams

and an outdoor production of

Jérusalem

as part of the Masada and Jerusalem Opera Festival.

Having received her bachelor’s degree in Theater Directing from Seminar HaKibutzim, School of Performing Arts, she has long been involved in the repertoire and fringe theaters across Israel.

Cast List

• Don Pasquale: Charles (Zach) Owen*, William Tvrdik^
• Dr. Malatesta: Conor McDonald*, Joseph Lattanzi^
• Ernesto: Alec Carlson*, Christopher Bozeka^
• Norina: Summer Hassan*, Jasmine Habersham^ (cover: Talya Lieberman)
• The Notary: Stefan Erik Egerstrom
• Ensemble: Pedro Arroyo, Brandon Bell, Stefan Erik Egerstrom, Eleni Franck, Kelly Hamm, Talya Lieberman, John Overholt, Lindsey Terrell
  

* Thursday, April 3, and Saturday, April 5
^ Friday, April 4, and Sunday, April 6

Performance Times

• 8 p.m. Thursday, April 3
• 8 p.m. Friday, April 4
• 8 p.m. Saturday, April 5
• 2 p.m. Sunday, April 6
  

Location

Patricia Corbett Theater, CCM Village

University of Cincinnati

Purchasing Tickets

Tickets to

Don Pasquale

are $31-$35 for adults, $20-$24 for non-UC students and $18-$22 for UC students with valid ID.

Tickets can be purchased in person at the CCM Box Office, over the telephone at

513-556-4183

or online at

ccm.uc.edu/boxoffice/donpasquale

.

Parking and Directions

Parking is available in the CCM Garage (located at the base of Corry Boulevard off Jefferson Avenue) and additional garages throughout the UC campus. Please visit

uc.edu/parking

for more information on parking rates.

For detailed maps and directions, please visit

uc.edu/visitors

. Additional parking is available off-campus at the new U Square complex on Calhoun Street and other neighboring lots.

For directions to CCM Village, visit

ccm.uc.edu/about/directions

.

____

CCM Season Presenting Sponsor: The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation

Community Partner: ArtsWave

Mainstage Season Production Sponsor: Macy’s