opera

Student opera productions tend to be of standard repertoire works, on the grounds that the kids need to learn the basics for their professional training. Witness current local stagings of Don Giovanni and The Magic Flute, warhorses both, at AVA and Curtis, respectively. For some reason, Temple's opera department has regularly bucked this common wisdom, and as a result, has been offering some of the most innovative programming of opera in the region. The fall season production is a compelling example. A double bill will be presented, with one-acts by composers who are not exactly household names in the first place. The early 20th-century French composer Darius Milhaud fashioned a modern twist on a Greek myth in Les Malheurs d'Orphée (Sorrows of Orpheus), and Donizetti, opera buffa maestro, will be represented by the virtually unknown bel canto comedy Il Campanello della notte (The Night Bell) (Stars, clockwise from top, Hollie Major, Amanda Taddeo and Won Lee, pictured). These are fully staged productions, with English translations in supertitles. Not quite eager for yet another La Boheme? Hop on the Broad Street subway northbound this weekend for something different.

Temple University Opera Theater, Fri., Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m., Sun., Nov. 20, 3 p.m., $12.50-$20, Tomlinson Theater, Temple University, 13th and Norris sts., 215-204-7600.