Tragic songs of wine, women and death by broken heart

In “Suor Angelica,” the nun of the opera’s title poisons herself after learning that her illegitimate son had died.

	If you go WHAT: Giacomo Puccini’s “Suor Angelica” and “Le Villi.” Sung in Italian with English subtitles WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22 and Saturday, Feb. 23 and 2 p.m. Feb. 24 WHERE: Keller Hall, UNM Center for the Arts HOW MUCH: $10 general public, $8 seniors, faculty and staff, and $6 students and youth at ticket offices in the UNM Bookstore and the Pit, at select area Albertsons supermarkets, by calling 925-5858, by visiting www.unmtickets.com or at the door

The University of New Mexico Opera Theatre will give three performances of the operas on Friday, Feb. 22, Saturday, Feb. 23 and Feb. 24 in Keller Hall.

“There are only women in the cast, except there’s a heavenly chorus with men and women,” said Leslie Umphrey, co-director of the Opera Theatre and co-producer of the operas with Sam Shepperson.

Umphrey said “Suor Angelica” was banished to the convent as punishment, but she wants to hear from her aristocratic family.

An aunt, who is a princess, brings her niece a document that she’s asked to sign.

Signing it would relinquish any claim Angelica has to her family’s inheritance.

“Angelica tells her aunt that she’s repented for her sin but she can never forget the memory of her illegitimate son, who was taken from her when she entered the convent seven years before,” Umphrey said.

Her aunt eventually informs Angelica that her son has died.

A devastated Angelica signs the document but decides the only way she can be reunited with her son is to kill herself.

“Le Villi” has three main characters – Roberto, sung by Javier Gonzalez, Anna, sung by Alexandra Martinez, and Guglielmo, Anna’s father, sung by Bryan Garcia.

Roberto leaves town and his girlfriend to get his inheritance.

“But he falls prey to wine, women and song,” said Shepperson. “He leaves in the spring. Winter comes and he still hasn’t returned. Anna dies of a broken heart.”

In the second act, she returns as a spirit.

“Roberto has a big aria singing about his regret … he knows he’s the reason why Anna has died,” Shepperson said.

“We have a dance troupe as le villi, the fairies, who dance around him as he sings the aria.”

That’s followed by a duet between the spirit Anna and Roberto. She invites him into her arms.

The opera’s narrator is Richard White. Jorge Perez-Gomez conducts the UNM Symphony Orchestra in two performances and Stephanie Praduroux in one performance.