UNL Opera will perform Benjamin Britten’s comedy “Albert Herring” Nov. 8 and 10 in Kimball Recital Hall. The Nov. 8 performance is at 7:30 p.m., while the Nov. 10 production is at 3 p.m.
In the production, village dignitaries of a small English community gather to select a young lady of impeccable virtue to be May Queen. However, not a single girl in the village qualifies.
Albert Herring, the shy green-grocer boy, is the only young person of either sex to have the requisite virtue to merit the honor. But, is Albert ready to be May King or will he break free? And, what happens when a friend spikes Albert’s lemonade at the crowning ceremony?
“We have a marvelous youth-filled cast of graduate and undergraduate performers, brimming over with talent and unbridled enthusiasm,” said William Shomos, director of opera.
The title role of Albert is played by second-year graduate student Matthew Clegg.
Albert’s foil, Lady Billows, is played by third-year doctor of musical arts student Talea Bloch.
The orchestration of “Albert Herring” calls for a small chamber group. The score will feature Tyler White conducting the UNL Philharmonica.
The performance is one of many worldwide celebrating the 100th year of Britten’s birth.
“UNL Opera is happy and proud to be a part of that celebration with this production,” Shomos said.
Tickets, available at the Lied Center for Performing Arts box office and 402-472-4747, are $20 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens.
