A collaborative effort between a Grand Valley State student and professor will bring to stage a new English version of Joseph Weigl's opera, L'Amor Marinaro (Sailors' Love). The original opera, which premiered in Vienna in 1797, was popular until the late 1820s but quite possibly hasn't been performed in over 100 years.
Kait LaPorte, a junior from Southgate pursuing a bachelor's degree in music, began this project as part of the Summer Student Scholars Program, under the tutelage of Lisa Feurzeig, associate professor of music at Grand Valley. Her goal was to create a performing version of L'Amor Marinaro in English, including transcribing and adapting the musical score.
The opera will be performed on March 16 and 17, at 8 p.m. in Grand Valley's Performing Arts Center, Allendale Campus. Performances are free and open to the public.
The opera is a comedy about pirates and musicians who all have double identities. Several noted composers including Beethoven, Paganini, and Donizetti, wrote variations based on a musical theme from the opera: the famous trio. Beethoven's famous variations for clarinet, cello and piano will also be performed. LaPorte is producer and co-director. Feurzeig serves as adviser and assists with the musical direction. John Sienicki is the stage director. The performers will all be students.
For more information, please contact Lisa Feurzeig at (616) 331-2584,
or [email protected].
