Description:

Joachim Schamberger, director; Patrick Furrer, conductor; Rose Xiao, graduate assistant conductor; Northwestern University Chamber Orchestra

Premiered in 1862 at the opening of the Theater Baden Baden, Hector Berlioz’s comic opera is based on Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. Upon returning home from battle with his friend Bénédict and commander Don Pedro, officer Claudio proposes to the governor’s daughter Hero. Meanwhile, Bénédict and the governor’s niece Béatrice trade merry insults, and Bénédict declares himself a bachelor for life. Don Pedro, up for a challenge, resolves to unite Béatrice and Bénédict in marriage with the help of Claudio, Hero, her father, and their housekeeper. Will their matchmaking succeed? This production adds text and scenes from Shakespeare’s play, creating a fluid dramatic progression in service to the genius of both the Bard and Berlioz. Music performed in French with supertitles; dialogue performed in Shakespearean English.

This production's Act I overture briefly incorporates actual video footage of US soldiers in combat.