Denison's Singers' Theatre will present two performances of Kurt Weill's 1948 folk opera "Down In The Valley" at 8 p.m. on Friday (April 30) and Saturday (May 1) in Burke Recital Hall. The libretto for "Down In The Valley" was written by Arnold Sundgaard. The shows are free and open to the public.

The 40-minute long opera, which takes place in 1865, tells the story of Brack Weaver and his ill-fated love for Jennie Parsons. When Thomas Bouche, an older man in corrupt business with Jennie's mother, attempts to claim Jennie for himself, Brack kills him in a fight at a town dance. Condemned for murder, Brack escapes the night before his execution to spend his final hours with Jennie.

"Down In The Valley" is told in flashback form, beginning in jail the night before Brack's execution. Music in the opera is based on American folk tunes, such as "Down in the Valley," "Lonesome Dove" and "Hop Up My Ladies." In Denison's production, the female roles will be double cast. Players include sophomore Marten Carlson as Brack, junior Elaine Martin and freshman Kristin Cox as Jennie, juniors Caitlin McCown and Emily Meagher as Jennie's mother and junior Michael Goldsberry as Thomas Bouche.

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

For press inquiries:

Name

Barbara Stambaugh

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Director, Media Relations

Primary Email

stambaughb@denison.edu

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(740) 587-8575