ASU’s Herberger Mainstage Lyric Opera Theatre performs the tragic opera, The Rape of Lucretia

TEMPE, Ariz. - ASU's Herberger Mainstage Lyric Opera Theatre (LOT) presents Benjamin Britten's tale of love and betrayal, The Rape of Lucretia, Feb. 25-March 6.

First performed in 1946, The Rape of Lucretia features a deeply felt score that creates a powerful musical metaphor for the ongoing struggle between love and lust, innocence and violence, evil and redemption.

Two Roman generals, Collatinus and Junius, and the Etruscan Prince Tarquinius, make a bet while they are at war with Greece. Whose wife will be faithful while they are away? Only Lucretia, the wife of Collatinus, remains true to her man. In a jealous rage, Prince Tarquinius rides back to Rome and rapes Lucretia. Overcome by shame, Lucretia commits suicide. Junius summons the Romans to overthrow the Estruscans.

LOT program director William Reber is the musical director for the production and Graham Whitehead directs. Herberger College School of Music Lyric Opera Theatre students astound with their talent, showing why the school is in the nation's top 20.

WHEN: Feb. 25, 26; March 4, 5, 7:30 p.m. March 6, 2 p.m.

WHERE: Evelyn Smith Music Theatre in the ASU Music Building, 40 E. Gammage Pkwy., Tempe

TICKETS: Fridays and Saturdays: $20 general; $18 seniors, faculty, staff and ASU alumni; $5 students. Weekdays: $15 general; $13 seniors, faculty, staff and ASU alumni; $5 students.

INFORMATION: 480-965-6447 or http://herbergercollege.asu.edu/mainstage/index.html.

Lyric Opera Theatre is part of the ASU Herberger Mainstage Season featuring theatre, dance and music performances. For a complete Mainstage schedule, go to http://herbergercollege.asu.edu/mainstage/index.html 

Media Contact:
Denise Tanguay 
480.965.7144
denise.tanguay@asu.edu