Dr. Constance Rock [email protected] 860-486-2684 UConn Opera Theater presents L’ENFANT ET LES SORTILÉGES by Maurice Ravel & NOAH’S FLOOD by Benjamin Britten Friday January 30th at 7:30pm and Sunday February 1st at 3:00pm Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, UConn Storrs Campus Ticket Information $20 general admission | $14 seniors and staff | $10 students Jorgensen.uconn.edu; (860) 486-4226

STORRS, CT (November 21, 2014) – UConn Opera Theater presents a double bill of The Enchanted Child (L’enfant et les sortilèges) by Maurice Ravel and Noah’s Flood (Noye’s Fludde) by Benjamin Britten on Friday, January 30th at 7:30pm and Sunday, February 1st at 3:00pm at the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts on the University of Connecticut Storrs Campus.

Ravel’s The Enchanted Child depicts a misbehaved little boy and his psychological journey through one very strange day. Frustrated by his mother, the boy throws a fit and destroys many household items including furniture, wallpaper, fine china, and more. As the opera progresses, the things that the boy has destroyed come to life and teach the boy valuable life lessons. In Noah’s Flood, Britten brings to life the biblical story of Noah and the ark.

The Enchanted Child is led by senior mezzo-soprano Lizzy Hayes as the little boy. An active member of the voice area, Lizzy has performed in Songfests and in many UConn Opera Theater and Outreach productions. This past summer, Lizzy joined the Franco-American Vocal Academy program in Paris, France where she sang the title role of Hélène in Offenbach’s La belle Hélène. Noah’s Flood features bass-baritone Anthony Leathem as Noah. A graduate of the New England Conservatory, Anthony has performed such roles as Sarastro in The Magic Flute, Superintendent Bud in Albert Herring and Bartolo in The Barber of Seville. This March, he will perform Dulcamara in UConn Opera’s production of Donizetti’s Elixir of Love. The rest of the cast draws from UConn’s graduate and undergraduate vocal programs and include: Judy Bowers, Matt Burke, Ryan F. Burns, Spencer Hamlin, Katelyn Lewis, Janani Sridhar, Jordan Swett, and Jessye Richmond. Michelle Hendrick and Dr. Brett Hodgdon return as stage and musical directors, and UConn Opera Theater is pleased to welcome Luke Miller (set designer), Heather Lesieur (costume designer), and Josh Winiarski (light designer). Dr. Constance Rock and Jan Zimmerman, producers, complete this all-star production team.

For the second time, UConn Opera is privileged and delighted to receive a generous grant from the Jeffery P. Ossen Family Foundation. In Noah’s Flood, UConn will be collaborating with the Windham School district, enlisting the help of many elementary school students as the animals who enter Noah’s ark. The professional orchestra will be augmented by the many talented instrumentalists involved in the JOY! Conservatory program, thus making this project a substantial community effort.

UConn Opera Theater’s production of Ravel’s The Enchanted Child and Britten’s Noah’s Flood will take place at the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, January 30th at 7:30pm and Sunday, February 1st at 3:00pm. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $14 for seniors and staff, and $10 for students. Tickets can be purchased through the Jorgensen Box Office online at jorgensen.uconn.edu, by phone at 860-486-4226 or in person at the Jorgensen Box Office, 2132 Hillside Rd., Storrs, CT 06269. Who can say no to two operas for the price of one? We hope to see you there!