FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2003

CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119

DRAKE OPERA THEATRE TO PRESENT TWO ONE-ACT SHOWS

Drake Opera Theatre will present two one-act operas - "The Night Bell" by Gaetano Donizetti and "The Impresario" by W.A. Mozart - at 8 p.m. Friday, April 11, and Saturday, April 12, in the Performing Arts Hall in the Harmon Fine Arts Center, 25th Street and Carpenter Avenue.

In "The Night Bell," the wedding celebration of Don Annibale Pistacchio and the young Serafina is under way. Then Enrico, Serafina's former suitor, enters the scene and vows to seek revenge against Serafina's new husband by preventing him from joining her on their wedding night.

In "The Impresario," Mr. Cash, who has started his own opera company, holds auditions for singers and actors. A vociferous argument breaks out between two sopranos, Madame Heartmelt and Mademoiselle Warblewell, as to which is the prima donna. Cash, the Impresario, must intervene to restore peace.

The performances are directed by Ann K. Cravero, who recently directed Britten's "The Little Sweep" with the City Opera Company of the Quad Cities, and produced and directed the one-act opera "Fortune's Favories" at the University of Iowa. She is pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Iowa.

Daniel Gast, visiting assistant professor of voice at Drake, is the conductor/vocal coach. He has appeared as a soloist with Fargo/Moorhead Civic Opera Company, Quad Cities Mozart Festival and the Dorian Opera Festival. Gast received a Master of Arts from the University of Iowa.

The production is made possible by a gift from the Friends of Drake Arts. Tickets, which
are $6 for students and $12 for adults, are available at the Drake Fine Arts Box Office (515) 271-3841.