Loyola Opera Presents Classic Comedy, ‘The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein'

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Jess Brown
Communications Coordinator
Phone: 504.861.5882
Cell: 504.344.4178

Loyola Opera Presents Classic Comedy, ‘The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein'

The Loyola University New Orleans Opera presents its new production of Jacques Offenbach's "The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein," a classic comedy filled with lively satire and rousing music, in Louis J. Roussel Performance Hall, located in the Communications/Music Complex on Loyola's main campus, on Friday, Jan. 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 29 at 3 p.m. A complimentary wine and cheese reception sponsored by the Loyola Alumni Association will precede Friday's performance at 6:30 p.m.

"The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein" premiered in Paris in 1867 with a virtual "who's who" of European royalty in attendance. Although it was a controversial burlesque of the German military, the operetta was instantly popular and became the composer's greatest world-wide hit, a landmark in French theatrical history.

Led by New York stage director and choreographer Bill Fabris and music director and conductor Carol Rausch, Loyola's production of the "Grand Duchess" is the first local revival since it was performed at the French Opera House in New Orleans more than 120 years ago. According to Rausch, since "Grand Duchess" is an operetta, the musical numbers are interspersed with dialogue, much like a Broadway show.

"The cast members range in age from freshmen to graduate students, and they bring fantastic youthful energy to the stage," Rausch said. "The arias and ensembles are spectacular, and the military theme makes for a wonderfully lively and rhythmic score. We've also chosen to perform the piece in English rather than the original French, since most comedies work better in the language of the audience."

Tickets are $40 for preferred seating, $25 for reserved seating, and $15 for Loyola students, faculty and staff. For tickets and information, visit montage.loyno.edu or call 504-865-2074. Free parking is available in the West Road Garage located on West Road and accessible from St. Charles Avenue.

This performance is partially funded through the generous support of the J. Edgar and Louise S. Monroe Foundation.

For more information, contact Jess Brown in Loyola's Office of Public Affairs at jlbrown@loyno.edu or call 504-861-5882.

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