Pentico joined the Young Artist Program at Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre, where she covered the role of Madama Butterfly. Fresh out of her graduate work, she was heard last fall as Contessa Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro with New York Lyric Opera Theatre. Soprano, Janese Pentico made her role debut as Mimì in La bohème at the Midwest Institute of Opera and in the title role of Madama Butterfly at Operfestival di Roma. They were both members of our opera program when they were students at SUU.”

It is my hope that Janese's and Greg's interaction with the students will be inspiring to them. These two former students are Janese Pentico singing the role of Sister Angelica and Gregory Watts singing the role of Gianni Schicchi. This opera centers around Sister Angelica whose aunt, the princess, comes to visit her after seven years with tragic news about Angelica's son.Ĭarol Ann Modesitt, Director of Opera at SUU, shares, “I am excited that we are bringing back two of our alumni to sing the lead roles of Gianni Schicchi and Sister Angelica. Suor Angelica takes place in an Italian convent. Believing he has left all of his wealth to them, they find out that he has left his money to the friars in a nearby monastery. It takes place in Buoso's bedroom where the relatives have come to mourn his death, but of course what they are interested in finding is Buoso's will.

Tickets can be purchased at the America First Event Center Box Office, at the door the night of the performance, or online at Gianni Schicchi is a comic opera where Schicchi outwits all of the relatives of Buoso Donati. SUU faculty/staff (and one guest) and students can attend for free with a valid ID card. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for alumni with card, and $5 for youth. SUU Opera Theatre will perform two of Puccini's Il Trittico one act operas, Gianni Schicchi and Suor Angelica, on March 23 through Maat 7:30 p.m. Two of Puccini's One Act Operas Performed Live in Cedar City

Puccini opera in grand rapids