Toledo Opera brings Ancient Rome to the Valentine
Toledo Opera presents The Rape of Lucretia by Benjamin Britten on March 13 and 14 at The Valentine Theatre. Based on events described in both Ovid's Fasti and Livy's History of Rome, the opera, with Ancient Rome as its setting, is a tale of innocence defiled.
In 509 BC there was a war between Rome and Greece. The men of the Roman army have discovered that during their absence their wives have faithlessly betrayed them – all but one, that is: Lucretia, who has remained faithful to her husband Collatinus. Sextus Tarquinius, described in the operas as “the Etruscan upstart” Prince of Rome, is infuriated that the wife of one of his generals is shown to be more virtuous than other generals’ wives and plots to test her fidelity. He rides from the soldiers’ camp back to Rome and, after claiming hospitality from Lucretia, ravishes her in her bedroom, taking not only her chastity, but bringing about her complete ruin. Lucretia stabs herself rather than face the shame of having been raped. This actual event incited a full-scale revolt against the Tarquins led by Lucius Junius Brutus, the banishment of the royal family, and the founding of the Roman Republic in 510 BC.
Britten, a pacifist, returned to Great Britain from self-imposed exile in the United States at the peak of World War II. When exposed to the devastation perpetuated on London and the British countryside by the war, he began to create two of his greatest and most challenging pieces: his War Requiem and The Rape of Lucretia. The opera provided a moral and religious perspective on dehumanizing violence. It was particularly welcome in post-war England and is extremely relevant today. Britten’s music is complex but easily accessible and this opera, one of his most dramatic and inspired creations, conveys with intense passion the struggle between evil and redemption.
Starring in the role of Lucretia is mezzo-soprano Elizabeth Batton, grand prize winner of The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. She is on the roster of The Metropolitan Opera, and has performed with Los Angeles Opera, New York City Opera, the Wexford Festival in Ireland, Boston Lyric Opera, Washington National Opera and Dallas Opera. In the pivotal role of Tarquinius is baritone Philip Cutlip, who has garnered consistent critical acclaim for his performances in North America and Europe. Bass-baritone Matthew Burns will portray the husband of Lucretia, Collatinus. He recently joined The Metropolitan Opera and has sung at New York City Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, and Boston Lyric Opera, among many others. Other performers in the cast are Kiera Duffy as Lucia, Maria Zifchak as Bianca, and Lee Gregory as Junius. Soprano Margaret Lattimore and tenor Steven Saunders will function as commentators on the action, in the style of a Greek chorus.
Performances are preceded by informal, pre-opera chats designed to make the opera experience more enjoyable. Single ticket prices for The Rape of Lucretia begin at $25.00 and may be purchased online at toledoopera.org or by phone at 419-255-SING (7464). Discounts are available for students, seniors, and groups of ten or more.
Performances are on Saturday, March 13 at 7:30pm and Sunday March 14, 2010 at 2pm at the Valentine Theatre.
Press Release Contact Name: Scott Baker
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Press Release Contact Phone: 419-255-SING
Organization Name: Toledo Opera
Website or Link: www.toledoopera.org
Organization Address: 425 Jefferson Ave., Suite 601, Toledo, OH, 43604