Bach - Coffee Cantata

UTC Opera Performs Coffee Cantata of J. S. Bach - November 3, 7:30 p.m.

The UTC Department of Performing Arts announces UTC Opera will perform a staged version of J.S. Bach’s Coffee Cantata on Friday evening November 3, at 7:30pm in the Roland Hayes Concert Hall in the UTC Fine Arts Center. Though it is listed in the catalog of Bach’s works as a cantata, this work is more in the form of the Italian intermezzo, a one-act precursor of comic opera. The plot is based on themes from Italian Commedia dell’Arte. The father, Schlendrian, is anxious that his daughter stop her scandalous habit of drinking coffee. Liesgen, his daughter, rebuffs all his attempts until he threatens to never allow her to marry. Liesgen then swears she will give up coffee, but secretly writes it into the marriage contract that her husband must allow her to drink coffee whenever she desires!

UTC Opera is directed by Perry Ward with musical direction by Tim Hinck. This production will feature Benjamin Brooks, tenor, as the Narrator, Kayla Smith, soprano, as Liesgen, and Mr. Ward, baritone, as Schlendrian. This performance will also feature scenes from “Spamalot” and Lalo’s “Le Roi d’Ys.”

Tickets are available at the FAC Box Office 423-425-4629

Contact Mr. Ward for more information: 423-425-5309 or [email protected]