Hooked on Opera

University of Southern Queensland (USQ) singing students are looking forward to swapping fiancés and immersing themselves in the glitz and glamour of the 1930's when they present Mozart's humorous masterpiece, Cosi fan tutte, from Wednesday 2 August 2006.

The students have been perfecting their pitch and tone for the challenging opera since Easter, under the instruction of USQ Opera Studio Director and Conductor, Arthur Johnson.

A talented Bass Baritone himself, Arthur trained at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and was a member of the English Touring Opera, Kent Opera and Opera Queensland.

'Opera depends so much on voices and the singing and we felt it was time again to promote and showcase the high quality of our singers at the University.'

Translated by Jeremy Sams and sung in English, Cosi fan tutte is a wickedly ironic comedy that explores the attraction between women and men and the games lovers play.

'When I went to see Cosi during University I was hooked – it is unbelievably brilliant.

'Cosi is about Mozart exploring humour in a humane way. For those who want more it's a serious look at how relationships work, but it is still sheer entertainment,' said Arthur.

'The opera was written in the late 1700's, but we have moved it to the 1930's because of the elegance of that period.

'This time span is also really approachable from an audience perspective, so we have this really stylish elegance of presentation from a costuming point of view.'

Internationally renowned Operatic Soprano, Ghillian Sullivan, is guest directing the season. USQ have also secured the services of Brisbane-based Baritone, Leon Warnock who will perform the role of Don Alfonso.

Opera Studio favourites, Jon Maskell, Martin Paroz, Cherie Robinson, Carli Walker and USQ staff member and Soprano, Hayley Sugars are also performing in the Opera.

Così fan tutte will run in the USQ Concert Hall for six performances only:
Wednesday 2 August – 7.30pm
Friday 4 August – 7.30pm
Sunday 6 August – 3pm
Wednesday 9 August – 7.30pm
Friday 11 August – 7.30pm
Saturday 12 August – 7.30pm

Media Contact: Amy Cass, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2092 or +61 412 097 326