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Show Utah Symphony to Present The Impresario as Part of the Chamber Orchestra Series by Calvin L. Harrington Forum staff writer As part of Utah Symphonys chamber orchestra series, Maestro Joseph Silverstein will conduct a performance of the opera, The Impresario (a theatrical satire) and Serenade No. 4 in D Major, both by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. This concert will be given one night only, Saturday, Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. Student tickets are available for $5. The Impresario is a very short work (one act) that entertainingly pokes fun at the opera world. It is a heavy-handefarce about the trials of an impresario (an opera producer) who has to settle the disputes and calm the rivalry of two sopranos who are competing for the same part. The opera producer is embarrassed when both of these conceited songbirds show up at the same time to audition as leading lady. An argument breaks out between the two women and a tenor has to intervene and calm them down. Since The Impresario is too short to provide a whole evenings entertainment, it is often performed with other compositions. There are only five musical numbers. Ithas an Overture that is familiar to most symphony patrons, two soprano arias, a trio and an ensemble finale. The pair of charming soprano arias are competition pieces in a slightly overblown style, brimming with spectacular vocal stunts. In the Trio, each donna contends to be prima while the tenor mediates. The Finale provides a delightful musical conclusion. In the closing number, they all observe that a work of art can prosper only if everyone has a share in it; the public must decide who is the best performer. Utah Symphonys production of this comic tale will be performed entirely in English. The Impresario will feature sopranos Lisa Saffer and Kimberly McCullough as the dueling divas and tenor Mark Evans as the peacemaker. Actor Tony Larimer will perform the role of Mr. Scruples (the impresario). Baritone David Power will complete d the ensemble. It is noteworthy that the Overture goes beyond Page 6 Forum what one would expect in a one-aopera. Mozart described the piece as a sinfonia and it has all the elements of a full classical symphony. Mozart composed The Impresario after The Abduction from the Seraglio and just before The Marriage of Figaro. Eminent music critics agree that it contains some of his finest music. However, it is too brief to stage often. An Ileana Cotrubas recordingis a perennial favorite (among opera buffs). Besides opera, Mozart excelled in almost every other kind of musical composition: Sonatas, concertos, symphonies, choral music, chamber music and serenades. Most of Mozarts serenades were instrumental functional pieces written for specific events or upon the request of some patron or friend. And they were usually designed for an open-ai- r performance. His Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (A ct ' Little Night Music) is perhaps the most famous of his serenades". Milton Cross, the eminent author and critic said, Mozart was the most versatile composer who ever lived. There" was no form or medium of music which he did not prove himselfa consummate master, and which did not become transformed through him. There was no style or idiom that did not come naturally to him. AlfredEinsteinsaid,Nospeciesofmusiccurrent in his time was left untouched by Mozart, none is without a matchless contribution from his pen. Tickets are available at the Utah Symphony box office located at the northwest comer of symphony hall. For more information concemingthis wonderful evening of Amadeus, or to order tickets, call . , 533-NOT- E. ' , Local Skater Earns the Bronze Medal in National Competition by Stacee Sherwood third place spot opened up. It was at this point that Kris Sherard, who has Forum staff writer Some people may feel that a home-couadvantage helps an athlete, however, most of the athletes disagree. Holly Cook was no exception to this feeling, before this week at the Salt Palace, that is. Utahs Holly Cook, an eighteen year-ol- d figure skater from Bountiful, triumphed over the added pressure of the local fans, with a beautiful performance Saturday afternoon, landing the bronze medal in the U.S. National Figure Skating rt Championships. After placing second in the figures competition and fifth place in the short program, Cook entered Saturdays competition in fourth place. But when Tonya Harding, after suffering from the flu all week, skated a very weak, long program, Cooks been coaching Cook since she was four, made a difficult decision. Sherard decided to drop the triple loop at the end of Cooks routine, because she didnt really need the jump to overtake Hardings third place position. If Harding had skated well, Sherard admitted,' I possibly would have left it in, but it wasnt worth the risk. After icing the national championships, Cook expressed her appreciation for the tremendous local support. I really enjoyed it. In fact, Id love to have the worlds here, the Olympics, or anything else, she said. Cooks third place position qualifies her for the n U; S. team competing in the world championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia, next month. three-woma- February 20, 1990 Issue 17 |