March 21 & 23, 2025
Friday at 7:30 PM | Sunday at 2:30 PM
NEW VENUE:
Pitman Theater, Alverno College
3431 S 39th St, Milwaukee, WI 53215
Run Time 90 minutes, no intermission
Performed in Italian with English supertitles
Rated PG
Prologue: Operatic intermezzo by Domenico Cimarosal Il maestro di capella.
Run time 20 minutes
Performance Events
Versed
March 3, 2025
At 5:30pm
Lueders Opera Center
Opening Night Dinner
March 21 at 5:30pm
TBD
Pre-Opera Talk
March 21 at 6:30pm and March 23 at 1:30pm
Pitman Theater
Opening Night Post-Show Party
March 21, 2025
TBD
Cash bar
Role Sponsor - Mamma Agata
Bob Balderson
Donizetti’s Viva la Mamma hilariously portrays a theatrical company struggling with a stage mother who insists on controlling every aspect of her son's career, much to the director’s dismay. Dueling divas, a meddling maestro and grocer/poet complicate the production woes. Amidst chaos and comedic mishaps, the opera satirizes operatic stereotypes, showcasing the absurdities and egos within the world of theater - all with glorious bel canto melodies and some terrific singing.
Need the TL;DR? Don’t worry—Maggey’s got you covered! Here’s her quick take:
Artists & Cast
Composed by Gaetano Donizetti
Libretto by Domenico Gilardoni, adapted from Antonio Simeone Sografi's plays Le convenienze teatrali (1794) and Le inconvenienze teatrali (1800).
Conducted by Anthony Barrese
Stage director by Jill Anna Ponasik
Scenic Designer: Lisa Schlenker
Lighting Designer: Aaron Lichamer
Costume Designer: Lynly Saunders
Wig & Makeup Designer: Erica Cartledge
Supertitles Designer: Dyan Yoder
Properties Supervisor: Simone Tegge
Ensemble curated by Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Donna Agata Scannagalli, mother of Luigia Patrick Carfizzi
Daria, prima donna Alisa Jordheim^
Procolo, her husband Aaron Agulay*
Biscroma Strappaviscere, maestro di cappella, Spencer Reichman^
Luigia, seconda donna Sara LeMesh +
Guglielmo, primo tenore, a German Jerek Fernández +
Pippetto, primo musico Lauryn Nelson +
Cesare Salzapariglia, grocer and poet Brandan Sanchez +
Impresario, Bill McMurray *
Direttore, Steele Fitzwater *
Stage Hand, Nicholas Lin
*Indicates Florentine Opera Debut | + Baumgartner Studio Artist | ^ Baumgartner Studio Artist Alum
