CU Opera production features noted alumni, professionals, students March 15-17

BOULDER, Colorado—Bradley Thompson, who played the lead in CU Opera’s 2001 production of Falstaff, will reprise the role in a new production of Verdi’s beloved take on Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor and Henry IV.

The new production will feature a diverse cast that includes internationally known tenor Björn Arvidsson as Dr. Cajus, as well as up-and-coming stars from the CU-Boulder College of Music, directed by Leigh Holman.

Holman says the emphasis will be firmly on comedy.

“If you like ‘I Love Lucy’ you’ll love this show,” she says. “This is like Ethel and Lucy in a situation comedy.”

Drawing mostly from Merry Wives, the opera focuses on the eponymous knight. One of Shakespeare’s most famous characters, he’s a somewhat pompous, but jolly, lover of wine and women. He is drawn into a web of deceit when two married women he’s tried to woo trick him into a series of foolish antics and delusions. He winds up spooked and wearing antlers while fake fairies and nymphs cavort in the forest.

“There are big laughs, lots of slapstick and physical comedy,” Holman says.

Thompson, who graduated from the College of Music, is now Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Voice Studies at Denver’s Metropolitan State University. Arvidsson, who has performed in more than 60 operas across Europe and North America, will play Falstaff for the Saturday night performance. Jeffrey Seppala will play the lead for the Friday and Sunday performances.

Falstaff

By Giuseppe Verdi

Directed by Leigh Holman

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. March 15 and 16; 2 p.m. March 17

WHERE: Macky Auditorium, University of Colorado Boulder

TICKETS: Starting at $14; go to cupresents.org

BOX OFFICE: 303-492-8008

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