Love! Trickery! Redemption! – it’s opera!

WHEN: March 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m., March 15 at 2 p.m.
and a high school matinee with piano on March 17 at 10 a.m.
WHERE: Russell Hall on the University of Southern Maine’s Gorham Campus
TICKETS: Students $10, Seniors/Faculty/Staff/Alumni $14, General public $20
BOX OFFICE: (207) 780-5151

Josh Miller of Southwest Harbor plays the title role in USM's production of Pucccini's "Gianni Schicchi."

Once every four years, the University of Southern Maine School of Music and Department of Theatre collaborate on a fully staged opera
production. But this March, new audiences and old will be offered a
rare opportunity to sample grand opera with a pair of masterful Puccini
one-acts: “Suor Angelica,” an exquisite tear-jerker, and “Gianni
Schicchi,” a laugh-out-loud comedy.

But a Puccini opera set in Portland? That’s right. Stage director
Assunta Kent has moved the setting of one of the operas, “Gianni
Schicchi,” from Florence in 1299 to a West End mansion in Portland,
Maine in 1927. Here are some photos from a recent rehearsal.

Dan Cyr of Bucksport also plays the title role in "Gianni Schicchi." Principal roles are double cast in both operas.

George Eisenhauer of Pttsburgh, PA plays Rinuccio and Mary Clark of Worchester, MA plays Loretta.

John Coons of Corrina and Jesslyn Thomas of Rindge, NH also play the lovers Loretta and Rinuccio.

Alexandra Deitrich of Freeport, right, plays Zita, Michelle Rawding of St. Albans, ME plays Nella and Brian Tingdahl of Saco plays Gherardo.

David Delano of Belfast plays Bettoin.

Joe Murphy of Lee, NH plays Simone.

Daniel Pendergast of Portland plays Marco and Mary Bastoni of Fryeburg plays Laciesca.

Roger Marcotte of Rockland plays the Notary.