Miami Opera presents "Albert Herring" April 10-12

The comic opera "Albert Herring" by Benjamin Britten will be presented by the Miami University departments of music and theatre at 7:30 p.m. April 10-12 in Gates-Abegglen Theatre, Center for Performing Arts.

"Albert Herring" is directed by Leland Kimball, former artistic director of the Delaware Opera, with music direction by Benjamin Smolder, associate professor of music and director of Miami's opera program.

"Albert Herring" premiered in England in 1947, two years after the devastation of World War II.  Britten’s only comic opera depicted life in a small town in his native Suffolk at the turn of the century. The opera, which was composed for the English Opera Group, was "served up with nostalgia and laced with a goodly amount of biting satire," according to reviewers at the time.

Behind the opera's "jolly tone and over-the-top characters is one of Britten's boldest, most socially revolutionary statements: a piece hardwired into the youthful urge to experiment, rebel and break free of social convention," Kimball said.

Miami's opera production celebrates Britten's centennial year.

"This opera promises to be a great event, featuring Miami student performers with an orchestra composed of Miami music faculty and professional musicians from the area," said Smolder.

Tickets, $12 students, $13 seniors and $15 adult, are available at the Miami box office in Shriver Center.