College of Arts and Communication, Department of Theatre/Dance

The College of Arts and Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater announces its productions of “The Maid Turned Mistress” by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi and “Dido and Aeneas” by Henry Purcell. This exclusive double feature will run in Barnett Theatre on select days from Feb. 21 – March 1. Tickets are on sale for the performances and can be purchased in person at Ticket Services, online at tickets.uww.edu or by calling (262) 472-2222. The Barnett Theatre and UW-Whitewater Ticket Services are located in the Greenhill Center of the Arts at 950 W. Main St., Whitewater, WI 53190. 

Delight in the witty and charming tale of love and deception, followed by an emotional journey through ancient Carthage’s timeless romance. Witness two masterpieces in one night with musical direction by Robert Gehrenbeck, choreography by Barbara Grubel and staging by Bruce Cohen. The talented UW-Whitewater students and area community members showcase the incredible range of human emotion through exquisite music and unforgettable performances. 

Pergolesi’s “The Maid Turned Mistress” puts us in the life of Uberto, an old rich bachelor living with his servant, Serpina, who has become the dictator of the house. Annoyed with Serpina, Uberto begins to search for a suitable woman to marry and finally takes revenge on Serpina’s increasingly dominating character. Serpina, eager to become the mistress of the house, will stop at nothing to become Uberto’s chosen wife in this whirlwind of jealousy, love and sneaky plots. This opera premiered in 1733 in Naples as a comic interlude between the acts of a longer, serious opera. The latter soon fell into obscurity, but Maid was a huge success, taking Europe by storm. The UW-Whitewater performance uses a witty English translation by Donald Pippin, the founder of Pocket Opera Company in San Francisco.

In Purcell’s masterpiece, “Dido and Aeneas,” experience the timeless tale of love and betrayal. Let the hauntingly beautiful arias and powerful choruses transport you to the ancient world of Carthage. Immerse yourself in the tragic romance of Queen Dido and the Trojan hero Aeneas, brought to life by a stunning cast and mesmerizing orchestration. This unforgettable display of passion, drama and music has captivated audiences for over three centuries. In the original Roman accounts of the story, the gods are responsible for Dido and Aeneas’ woes, but in this retelling by dramatist Nahum Tate, the gods have been replaced by witches stirring up trouble, much like the “weird sisters” in Shakespeare’s Macbeth. In Purcell’s music, courtly dances are never far from the surface, whether joyful, tragic or grotesque.

When asked about his experience directing these operas, Gehrenbeck had this to say, “It has been a joy to see this glorious music come to life in Barbara Grubel’s imaginative choreography, Bruce Cohen’s insightful (and often hilarious) staging, and in the commitment and talent of all the designers, cast, crew, and orchestra.” In reference to “Dido and Aeneas,” Cohen added, “Often wrenching and beautiful vocals fill this mythological space, all made sublime through Robert Gehrenbeck’ s exacting, musical direction. The world of our play, throne rooms, sailing ships and eldritch caves are summoned into being courtesy of Barbara Grubel’s choreographic brilliance. I am thankful to have both exceptional artists as collaborative partners.”

Showtimes for “The Maid Turned Mistress” and “Dido and Aeneas”:

• Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m.
• Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. (Half price matinee)
• Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m.
• March 1 at 2 p.m.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience the beauty and drama of these operatic gems in Barnett Theatre Feb. 21 – March 1. Get your tickets today in person, online at tickets.uww.edu or by calling (262) 472-2222. Admission is $20 for adults, $18 for those age 65+, and $14.50 for those under age 18. There is a $2 surcharge for tickets purchased at the door at the time of the event. The Barnett Theatre and UW-Whitewater Ticket Services are located in the Greenhill Center of the Arts at 950 W. Main St., Whitewater, WI 53190. Ticket Services hours are Monday-Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. when classes are in session.