Theater, UNLV to bring opera to the valley this month

Rave Motion Pictures to begin screening series at Town Square

Local opera lovers have much to look forward to this month. Not only is UNLV performing Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Cosi fan tutte," but Rave Motion Pictures, the movie theater at Town Square, 6605 Las Vegas Blvd. South, will begin screening a series of operas performed by top-of-the-line companies.

"Cosi fan tutte," or "The School for Lovers," is the tale of two pairs of sisters and their fiancés and a man who feels that all women are essentially fickle. To prove the faithfulness of their ladies, and to win a bet, the fiancés pretend to be called away to war and engage in an elaborate scheme of disguises and seduction.

"What's really interesting is the ensemble nature of the work," said Christine Seitz, director of the UNLV Opera Theatre. "It's a comic story about manners and relationships and a whirlwind of emotional circumstances." Adding to the complexity of the preparation for the opera, the six principles all play multiple roles.

Seitz said that the principle performers and the two dozen chorus members are set to put on a tremendous performance.

"They're in rehearsals this week, and it's coming together," Seitz said. "It's a long process, but it should be really wonderful."

Rave begins its opera season on Saturday with an afternoon performance of Giacomo Puccini's "La Rondine" ("The Swallow"). The tale of a doomed love affair between a courtesan and a poet is one of Puccini's least performed shows, making this a particularly rare opportunity for viewers.

Rave previously had a special performance of "Aida," which Rave spokesman Jeremy Devine said was more of critical success than a financial one.

"It was very worthwhile to play it in Las Vegas," Devine said. "We're trying to build an audience."

Devine noted that the theater intends to continue to offer special events on its all-digital system to bring in viewers to see shows they couldn't see otherwise, in a group setting. It's an equitable arrangement. The audience is able to enjoy a unique film opportunity, and the theater fills seats that might otherwise remain empty during slower parts of the day.

"It's niche programming, but it's nice niche programming," Devine said. "Still, no one's delusional. We're not taking 'Indiana Jones' off on a Saturday night."

Seitz has no problem with opera in a movie theater.

"It's terrific," she said. "You lose that it's a live performance taking place right in front of you, but you get to see things larger than life. All the detail is so clear and on such a grand scale."

Rave will present "La Rondine," performed by the San Francisco Opera Co., on Saturday and Sunday at 12:30 p.m., and on Monday and Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. On March 26, there will be two showings of "La Traviata," performed at La Scala Opera House. Future operas include "Samson and Delilah," "Don Giovanni," "Madame Butterfly," "Maria Stuarda" and "Il Trittico." For more information, call 362-7283 or visit www.ravemotionpictures.com. Admission is $20, and the operas run approximately three hours.

UNLV's Opera Theatre will debut its production of "Cosi fan tutte" on March 14 at 7:30 p.m., with additional performances on March 15 at 7:30 p.m., and March 16 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for seniors, military personnel, faculty members and staff, and $5 for students with ID. For tickets and more information, call 895-2787.