University Opera Theater presents 'Egisto,' Jan. 7-8

The Princeton University Opera Theater, in conjunction with the Department of Music, will present free performances of Francesco Cavalli's comedy "Egisto" at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 7-8, in Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall.

The cast will be members of "Music 214: Projects in Vocal Performance." Clifford Sofield, a 2002 Princeton graduate, will direct, and Michael Pratt will conduct, with members of the University Orchestra providing the accompaniment.

Amor (Cupid), played by sophomore Amy Coenen, kisses the hand of L'Aurora (The Dawn), played by senior Katherine Lu.

Princeton music professor Wendy Heller, a noted authority on 17th-century Venetian opera, will give a talk at 7 p.m. preceding each performance. The production will utilize a new performing edition by Princeton musicology graduate students Jennifer Eberhard and Daniil Zavlunov.

"Egisto" was written in 1643 for the Teatro San Cassiano in Venice. It is a story of pairs of stranded lovers who, for various reasons, become enamored of each other's partners before being set aright again by Cupid. "It is a delightful and somewhat naughty romp that involves the usual element of gods behaving badly that the Venetian audiences so dearly loved," said Pratt. "But its basic elements of the blindness and foolishness of young love are timeless, as people -- and love -- have changed very little in 400 years."

Admission to the performances is free, but tickets are required. Call the Richardson Auditorium box office at (609) 258-5000.