CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The production of “Viva Verdi!” by the Lyric Theatre, opening Thursday at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, is kind of a greatest hits show of the Italian opera composer Giuseppe Verdi.
This season’s performances of the Lyric Theatre are a celebration of Italy, and its tribute to Verdi includes some of his best-known arias, scenes, choruses and overtures.
“For opera lovers, the term that this is Verdi’s greatest hits will fit really well with them,” said Kyle A. Thomas, the director of the production and a U. of I. doctoral student in theatre studies. “At the same time, this type of show is the perfect opportunity to provide an entry point or access point for lay folks who don’t really know much about opera history.”
“Viva Verdi!” runs Feb. 23-26.
John Brent Strauss, playing the character Alfredo, offers a toast to Violetta, played by Kristine Phillips, in the scene “Libiamo,” from Verdi’s “La Traviata.”
The production includes elements that show the context in which Verdi was composing, both the political upheaval happening in Italy and the musical world in which he lived. Verdi favored unification of the many states of Italy, and his music became associated with the nationalist movement.
“Viva Verdi!” opens with “Va, pensioro” or “Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves,” from Verdi’s opera “Nabucco.” “Va, pensioro” also opens “Nabucco,” significant in the fact that it made a chorus an integral part of the production, rather than secondary to the principal singers, Thomas said.
“The Italian people saw themselves in that chorus,” he said. “His music was viewed by the people of Italy, particularly the common folks of Italy, as being their voice.”
The chorus serves as an important part of Italian culture and is something of a second national anthem, akin to “God Bless America” for the United States, Thomas said.
Soprano Yunji Shim – a graduate student in the Lyric Theatre program who was recently named a 2017 Krannert Debut Artist – will sing a piece from Verdi’s “Requiem.”
In addition to many of Verdi’s best-known works, the production will feature a Neapolitan song medley of many recognizable folk songs of Naples.
The show will include a number of pop culture references.
“These are places in the show that provide cultural entry points to say, ‘You’ve encountered opera and Verdi in your life more than you think you have,’” Thomas said.
The cast of graduate and undergraduate students largely wears street attire during the show, emphasizing the idea that there can be virtuosity in the lives of everyone, no matter what they do, Thomas said.
“Viva Verdi!” will feature the UI Symphony Orchestra and the UI Oratorio Society, as well as an ensemble of Lyric Theatre students.
“This has really been a collaborative effort on a large scale,” Thomas said.
Editor’s note: To reach Kyle A. Thomas, email kyleathomas17@gmail.com.
Tickets for “Viva Verdi!” are available at krannertcenter.com.
