Performances of this lively production of Mozart's Italian comic opera will be held at 8:00 p.m. on February 19, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, and 29, with a 2:00 p.m. matinee on Sunday, February 24.
La Finta Giardiniera marks the annual collaboration between Ithaca College Theatre and the School of Music. All performances will be held in the Clark Theatre at Dillingham Center; the production will be sung in Italian with English supertitles.
Ticket prices range from $4.50 to $10.00 and can be purchased at all Ticket Center outlets, including the IC Theatre ticket office in Dillingham Center and online at www.ithacaevents.com. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more by calling 203-260-9508. For more information call 607-274-3224 or 607-273-4497, or visit www.ithaca.edu/theatre.
Written in 1775 when Mozart was just 18 years old, La Finta Giardiniera tells the story of Count Belfiore and Violante, who were lovers until Belfiore stabbed Violante in a quarrel. Mistakenly believing Violante to be dead, Belfiore has become engaged to the very jealous Arminda. Violante, meanwhile, has disguised herself as the gardener Sandrina in order to confront Belfiore. As more complications arise, lunacy ensues, ensuring fits of passion of which only Mozart's Italians are capable.
David Lefkowich, director of last season's Ithaca College Theatre production of Handel’s opera, Acis and Galatea, returns to guest direct La Finta Giardiniera. A seasoned professional, Lefkowich has directed productions for companies around the country, including the New York City Opera, Florida Grand Opera, and Glimmerglass Opera. An experienced stage combat director, Lefkowich graduated Northwestern University's School of Speech with a degree in theater and holds a certificate from Ecole-Jacques Lecoq in Paris.
The musical director is Mark Kaczmarczyk, assistant professor of music and director of opera and musical theater. His credits include Grendel at Lincoln Center's Mostly Mozart Festival and conductor of Handel's Semele and Acis and Galatea at the Detroit Institute of the Arts. He has also performed as a bass soloist in productions around the country.
Two casts of La Finta Giardiniera will alternate performances. The cast includes vocal performance majors Danielle Edwards '08 and Diana Yourke '08 as Violante and musical theater major Daniel Greenwood '08 and music education and vocal performance major Dan Prior '08 as Belfiore. The cast also includes Christina Boosahda '09, Hilary A. Bucell '09, Garry McLinn '09, Sara Mowery '09, Alexis Murphy-Egri '08, Megan Palange '08, and Michael J. Quinn '08.
The artistic design team includes assistant professor of theater arts Brian Prather as set designer, Samantha Yaeger '08 as costume designer, and assistant professor and chair of theater arts Steve TenEyck as lighting designer.
A nationally recognized professional theater training program, the Department of Theatre Arts attracts students from across the United States. Through Ithaca College Theatre and the production season, undergraduate students present all aspects of theater in a professional model. Ithaca College Theatre has been a cultural resource for Tompkins County and the region for more than 70 years.
For more information on the production, contact Susan Monagan, manager of audience development and special projects, at smonagan@ithaca.edu or 607-274-3915.
