Taking its cue from Measure for Measure, Wagner's early comic opera gives us a moralizing civic force attempting to protect its youth from their natural desires. Everything comes to a head during a carnival celebration set in a colorful, theatrical evocation of 1950s Italy.

New production.
Sung in German with English titles.
Running Time: Two hours, 55 minutes, including one 25-minute intermission

Conductor Corrado Rovaris
Director Nicholas Muni
Sets John Conklin
Costumes Kaye Voyce
Lighting Mark McCullough
Hair & Makeup Anne Ford-Coates
Projected Titles Kelley Rourke

CAST

Friedrich Mark Schnaible
Isabella Claudia Waite
Claudio Richard Cox
Mariana Holli Harrison
Luzio Ryan MacPherson
Dorella Lauren Skuce
Brighella Kevin Glavin
Pontio Pilato Joseph Gaines*
Antonio Zach Borichevsky*
Angelo Todd Boyce*
Danieli Robert Kerr*

*Member of Glimmerglass Opera's 2008 Young American Artists Program.

July 19, 22m, 28m;
August 2, 10m, 14, 16m, 22
m = matinees

Sunday-Tuesday Matinees at 2:00 p.m.*
Saturday Matinees at 1:30 p.m.
Evening performances at 8:00 p.m.
*except August 3 and 17

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SYNOPSIS

Friedrich, German deputy to the King of Sicily, has temporarily assumed control in the King's absence and promptly declares love a capital offense. In addition, he has outlawed Carnival season and closed all the nightclubs.

Claudio and Julia, pregnant out of wedlock with Claudio's child, have been found guilty of the new law and sentenced to death. Claudio sends for his cloistered sister, Isabella, believing she may successfully intercede for him.

Isabella is convinced to leave her cloistered life to save her brother and confronts Friedrich, employing first reason, then pity to secure her brother's release. Friedrich, deeply aroused by her pleas, suggests a solution: her love in exchange for her brother's life. An elaborate plan is created to expose Friedrich's hypocrisy and, in the end, all is set right.