NEWS

Opera set for April 19, 20 at UNC to portray ancient Japanese legend

CHAPEL HILL -- A girl comes to Earth from the moon. Here she learns about human emotions, and she falls in love with an emperor.

This is the ancient Japanese legend portrayed in "From the Towers of the Moon," an opera to be presented by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill music department April 19 and 20. Two student groups, the UNC Opera Workshop and the UNC Chamber Orchestra, will perform the work at 8 p.m. both nights in Hill Hall Auditorium.

Music faculty members Tonu Kalam and Terry Rhodes, respectively, will conduct the orchestra and serve as music and stage director.

The shows will be the North Carolina premiere of Robert Moran’s fourth opera, commissioned and premiered by the Minnesota Opera in 1992. The Philadelphia composer, who also directs the West Coast Music Ensemble in San Francisco, will be at UNC the week of the performances, attending rehearsals and the shows and speaking to music classes -- as will librettist Michael John LaChiusa.

"From the Towers of the Moon" will feature about 20 students nightly and nearly 30 in all. The seven lead roles will be performed by different students each night, giving more students a chance to participate. Stage performers will be in costume; the orchestra, in a temporary pit made by removing the first few rows of seats.

Tickets -- $4, $10 and $12 -- are on sale in 104 Hill Hall and will be sold at the door if still available. Call (919) 962-1039 for more information.

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Contact: Michael Rowlett, (919) 962-1039