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Show Branch College to Offer Two Operas In Expanded Music Program in 1949 In an expanded program to accommodate ac-commodate the large number of talented students, the Music department de-partment at BraAch Agricultural colleg is offering two operats this year, Giancarlo Menattia' The Old Maid and the Thief for lower division students, and Verdi's Ver-di's "La Traviata' for advanced upper division studeata of voice. Already three cast are at work on Menatti' abort opera which Is called a grotesque opera op-era by the composer, and two complete caats of principals for "La TraviaU". Although "The Old Maid and The Thief was originally con-ceived con-ceived as a radio-opera and broadcast, and had It's world premiere April 72. 1939 by the NaUonal Broadcasting Company, the first stage performance was given by the Philadelphia Opera Company, February 11, 1941. And since then has been presented by a number of opera companies compan-ies throughout the United States. Requests have come in from over a score oX smaller towns of southern Utah for thla comedy and because of small cast and cost of production it will be pos- sible to send it out where sending send-ing the grand opera would be Impossible. "La Traviata" is a revival. It was first given at the B A C in 1926 and repeated in 10J3 as one of the fine grand operas presented pre-sented in opera festival week, In which "Carmen", "II Trova-tore", Trova-tore", "Martha", "Cavallerla Rus-tlcana", Rus-tlcana", and "La Traviata" were presented with three sets of prln-clpals prln-clpals and two different choruses. chor-uses. It has proved to be a favorite fav-orite of the nine grand operas presented by the music department.. depart-ment.. Professor W. II. Manning, who has helped make the B A C and Cedar City a music center of southern Utah, along with Pro-fessor Pro-fessor Roy L. Halversen, declare this year's performance will be a high point in opera production. |