CCE presents Handel's opera SILLA May 17-19, Warehouse XI, Somerville

In CCE's SILLA, in English and set in modern times, Rome has never fallen and SILLA declares himself Dictator for Life.

Lucio Cornelio Silla, a triumphant Roman general, made short work of his enemies and declared himself Perpetual Dictator of Rome. He quashed civic liberties and forced his attentions on the wives and lovers of his subordinates. Not all were willing to bow to his ruthless intent. Handel's opera drives with passion toward its powerful conclusion.

The Cambridge Chamber Ensemble brings to the stage the passion of Handel's music and the provocative narrative of Silla, fittingly set in our modern political times. Our production is in English in a new and original translation. CCE's cast of outstanding and sensitive singers performs a fully staged production accompanied by a Baroque chamber ensemble.

The Cambridge Chamber Ensemble (CCE) mission is threefold : to present, in English, lesser known operatic gems that deserve to be widely heard; to make these gems easily accessible to the entire community through reasonable pricing; and to engage both emerging artists and established performers to foster a communal musical experience for cast and audiences. Now in its third season, CCE's production of SILLA features a new English translation by Executive Director and Producer Martha Birnbaum, making this important work directly accessible to the audience. SILLA'S tyrannical behavior has been in the spotlight in recent years and we will present this work as captivating political theater. For this show we are affording local art students the opportunity to display and sell their works related to "freedom of expression" around the theater hall. The venue is the accessible Warehouse XI in Union Square, Somerville, MA.

Time: 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm.

Category: Arts | Performing Arts | Opera.

Sub-Categories: Arts | Performing Arts | Theatre.

Artists / Speakers: Silla: Rosie Osser (Kim Lamoureux), Metella, Silla's wife: Theresa Egan (Kathryn Tolley), Lepido, a tribune: Ann Fogler (Rachel Abrams), Flavia, Lepido's wife: Stephanie Mann (Jennifer Sgroe), Claudio, a senator, Celia's lover: Lucas Coura (Elisabeta Racolta), Celia, Catullus' daughter: Gyuyeon Shim (Hailey Fuqua), The God Mars: Fran Daniel Lucerica (Kartik Ayysola), Scabro (silent): Sara Kerr.