By Ford Rasmussen
For the first time in years, those who attend Utah State’s Opera Theater will hear the performance accompanied by a full orchestra. The USU Symphony has teamed up with the USU Opera Theater to perform Mozart’s "La Finta Giardiniera."
Benjamin Krutsch is one of the students who will be appearing in "La Finta Giardiniera." “It’s the first time in my stay that it’s happened,” he said, referring to the collaboration with the USU Symphony Orchestra. Krutsch has been at Utah State since 2013.
The USU Symphony Orchestra will be directed by Daniel Helfgot, a world-renowned professional opera director. “This is the first production I’ve done at USU with a director of his caliber,” said Dallas Heaton, musical director of the department.
Since Tuesday those involved began practicing six days a week in preparation for the show. “Mounting a show so early in the semester always means a big crunch for time to get the blocking solidified for the actors and the sets constructed in time,” Heaton said. The team has two and a half weeks to perfect the show before opening night.
Feb. 2 will be the Utah premiere of "La Finta Giardiniera." The piece is one of Mozart’s lesser-known works, but Heaton hopes Mozart’s big name will draw people out to see the work.
“We will have a beautiful piece on our hands that will have been a memorable educational experience for all involved,” Heaton said.
The production will run Feb. 2 through 4 at 7:30 pm in the Morgan Theatre. There will be a matinee performance Feb. 4 at 2 pm. Tickets can be purchased online at music.usu.edu. http://music.usu.edu/area_of_study/operatheatre#ta
