Dueling divas, an ambitious underling and plunging profits set the stage for hilarity in Mozart’s The Impresario.
Mozart wrote The Impresario in a battle of quills with Salieri for a party hosted by Emperor Joseph II. The title character of the one-act singspiel faces plunging profits and super-sized egos in his opera company. Soaring pretensions of the singers produce hilarious auditions, increased by the interference of an ambitious assistant. Add a wealthy patron who wants his lover to be prima donna and the scene is set for an explosion of egos and vocal fireworks.
Diva Lounge Productions presented The Impresario at last summer’s Fringe Festival in London to rave reviews. Sonja Gustafson heads the all-Western alumni cast. The others include Taylor Matheson, Ian Robertson, Morgan Jones and Paul Grambo.
The Impresario features some of Mozart’s highest soprano coloratura and combines musical drama with comedic charm.
This production, part of the Don Wright Faculty of Music Friday 12:30 p.m. series, takes place today (Sept. 18) in the Paul Davenport Theatre in Talbot College. Admission is free.
For more information, visit www.music.uwo.ca.
