Bullying takes center stage in BGSU opera

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Bowling Green Opera Theater will presents a bold new interpretation of Henry Purcell’s 17th century
"Dido and Aeneas," transporting the classic tragedy from ancient Carthage to fictional
present-day Carthage High School. Featuring supplemental music from the composer’s "Masque of
Love," performances will begin Friday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. in the Donnell Theatre at the
Wolfe Center for the Arts.
The production addresses the epidemic of adolescent bullying, substance abuse and suicide. Departing from
Purcell’s setting of the story, in which the Queen of Carthage takes her life after losing the Trojan
Prince Aeneas to malicious supernatural interference, the Bowling Green version shrinks the classical
monarchy structure down to the microcosm of the high school. Dido is the valedictorian, queen of
scholarship, and she is pitted against the prom queen. This production explores the dichotomy of the
oppression often experienced by those who seek the protection of social conformity and the relative
expressive freedom felt by those who are ostracized by society.
The opera features stage direction by Dr. Sean Cooper, musical direction by Dr. Emily Freeman Brown and
musical preparation by Kevin Bylsma. BGSU students in lead roles include students Rachel Taylor as Dido,
Benjamin Laur as Aeneas, Grace Hirt as Belinda and Stephanie Tokarz as the Sorceress. Members of the
Bowling Green Philharmonia and vocal music students fill out the cast.
Tickets $10 for adults, $7 for students and seniors, and $1.75 for BGSU students can be purchased online
at www.bgsu.edu/arts. Day-of-performance tickets can be purchased for $12 for adults and $9 for all
students. For more information, call the BGSU Arts Box Office at (419) 372-8171.

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