Arts & Humanities Campus News

UGA Opera Theatre returns to full staging with ‘Postcard from Morocco’

Performances of "Postcards From Morocco" are Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 26 at 3 p.m. (Submitted photo)

As part of the UGA Hugh Hodgson School of Music spring season, UGA Opera Theatre presents “Postcard from Morocco” by Dominick Argento.

This work is the most performed American Chamber Opera in the world. This also marks the department’s first return to a fully staged work since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“A surreal, entertaining and emotionally charged work, ‘Postcard from Morocco’ is richly melodic, featuring a brilliant variety of musical flavors borrowing from ragtime and popular music along with a deft parody of famous Wagnerian tunes,” said director Daniel Ellis.

Set in a train station, “Postcard from Morocco” examines the depths of the human mind through the experiences of seven travelers, identified by their most prized possessions. While the mysterious travelers await the next train’s arrival, they each share tales from their lives, spanning from the mundane to the miraculous, and from reality to fantasy. Each traveler takes special care to guard their possessions—as well as their secrets—until heart-wrenching truths are suddenly revealed.

The cast includes Eleftherios Chasanidis (DMA ’23), Xiaohan Chen (DMA ’24), Andrew Ellis (DMA ‘23), Samantha Mishima Friedman (DMA ’24), Robert Harrelson (DMA ’25), and Sara Lynn Storm (MM ’23), and introduces Xandrya Edwards (MM ’23) and Brooks Todd (BM ’24).

The production is conducted by returning guest artist Maestro Hilary Griffiths (“Cosi Fan Tutte”), with set and lighting design by Cheri Prough DeVol. Kathryn Wright serves as vocal coach.

Performances are Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 26 at 3 p.m. There will be a conversation with the creative team on Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. before the performance.

This performance will be at the UGA Fine Arts Theatre. Recommended parking is at the Hull Street Deck, Tate Center Parking Deck or other UGA surface lots in the area. Parking fees may apply. For tickets, visit music.uga.edu/opera-theatre or call 706-542-4400. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for students with a valid UGA ID.