"Shakespeare Sings!" is how the University of Utah's Lyric Opera Ensemble refers to its fall presentation.
The concerts, which take place on Friday and Saturday in Libby Gardner Concert Hall, won't just feature music taken from opera. The program will be more varied and wide-ranging. "I tried to present some really interesting repertoire that's good for the singers vocally and entertaining for the audience," said Robert Breault, the U.'s director of opera.
Speaking by phone from Forth Worth, Texas, where he was appearing in Verdi's "La Traviata" with the Fort Worth Opera, Breault said that he likes to come up with themes for the fall production. "I could have put seven programs together on Shakespeare. This was difficult, because there is so much great music to select from, and I only have a short time to assess the singers."
Music for these concerts has been taken from opera and Broadway, and the program also includes art songs and selections from 19th century oratorio. Among the more familiar pieces are Cole Porter's "Kiss Me Kate" (based on "The Taming of the Shrew") and Leonard Bernstein's "West Side Story" (a modern retelling of "Romeo and Juliet").
Other pieces are excerpts from "Romeo et Juliette" by Berlioz and Gounod, scenes from two Verdi operas ("Macbeth" and "Falstaff"), as well as from Bellini's opera "I Capuletti ed I Montecchi." There will also be a selection from Gordon Getty's opera "Plump Jack," which will receive its Utah premiere at these concerts.
One of the reasons Breault chose this array of works is that he has sung them. "I have personal experience with them — I've done all of them," he said.
The opera students at the U. don't shy away from being challenged, Breault said. "They want to do things that are difficult for them." And he acquiesced to their request. " 'Falstaff' is the most demanding thing we're doing on the program. We'll be doing the entire third act finale."
Breault also takes into account the young singers' abilities, and he must find works that are suitable for them. "I have to find things that are appropriate for their voices. I have 40-some people taking part in the program, and it's a very, very complex process."
He went through his entire library of vocal scores to find the right pieces, and in that stack of scores was Getty's take on the Falstaff story, "Plump Jack," which Breault recorded a couple of years ago in London with the London Philharmonic.
Getty is the son of John Paul Getty, and Breault said the younger Getty is enamored of Shakespeare. "Unlike Boito (Verdi's librettist for 'Falstaff'), Gordon uses the original words. He is very respectful of Shakespeare."
The concert won't be on the short side, Breault warned. "This will be a full evening of music. And I can guarantee that the audience will not be bored."
Pianist Jeffrey Price will accompany the singers, and the program will be directed by Larry West.
If you go . . .
What: Utah Lyric Opera Ensemble
Where: Libby Gardner Concert Hall
When: Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
How much: $7, $3 students
Phone: 355-2787 or 888-451-2787
Web:www.arttix.org
E-mail: ereichel@desnews.com