USA Opera Theatre presents "Orpheus in the Underworld" Mar 28 & 30

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Posted on February 17, 2025 by Keith Bohnet

Keith Bohnet

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USA Opera Theatre will present two performances of "Orpheus in the Underworld" on Friday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 30 at 3:00 p.m. in the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center Recital Hall. This comic opera features music by Jacques Offenbach, with text by Hector Crémieux and Ludovic Halévy. USA Opera Theatre is directed by Dr. Thomas L. Rowell. See ticket info below!!

“Orpheus in the Underworld” was Jacques Offenbach’s comic opera treatment of the Greek legend of Orpheus and Eurydice, and was both blasted for its disrespect of mythology and praised highly by the French public for, well, being irreverently French!! In this adaptation, Orpheus is a second-rate violin teacher whose wife, Eurydice, is abducted by Pluto, the ruler of Hades, and taken to the Underworld. Orpheus is thrilled to be rid of his spouse until Public Opinion demands that he set about to rescue her by traveling to Mount Olympus to plead for her release. Jupiter, King of the Gods, is determined to thwart Pluto’s scheme for reasons that soon become clear aren’t in the interest of doing the right thing…

Come find out if the rescue succeeds in this hilarious telling of the story and performance of this great operetta sung in French (with supertitles) and dialogue in English!

 (No MAS passes for this event.  See below for special ticket information.)

Advance tickets for this Musical Arts Series event may be purchased in person March 24-28, 1:00-5:00 p.m. in Laidlaw 1072 (Music Department offices). (NO PASSES and NO WILL CALL for the general public.) Admission is $15 general and $10 for USA faculty & staff, USA students, youths under 18 and all senior citizens (cash or card accepted).  Unsold tickets may be purchased in the Laidlaw Lobby 75-90 minutes before each performance if available (cash or card accepted). Persons needing more information about this event or in need of special accommodation may call 251-460-7116 or 251-460-6136 and leave a message.

Please note that this concert will not be available on the USA Music Department Live Stream.

Need directions to Laidlaw? Just go to Google Maps and enter "USA Laidlaw Performing Arts Center." We're actually on the corner of University Blvd. and USA Drive South.

For information about the Department of Music at the University of South Alabama, proceed to our website -- southalabama.edu/music

For information on how to become a member of the Musical Arts Society, visit our Musical Arts Series website at southalabama.edu/music/mas -- On that page, you'll see everything you need to know about the Musical Arts Concert Series and USA's Musical Arts Society.

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