Emerging Artists presents ‘The Secret Marriage’ opera

HARRISON — PORTopera’s Maine’s Emerging Artists program will present Domenico Cimarosa’s “The Secret Marriage” at Deertrees Theatre at 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 7. While originally written as a two-act opera to be sung in Italian, PORTopera will present an abbreviated version (about 90 minutes) sung in English.

The “Secret Marriage” first premiered in 1792, written by the Italian opera composer Domenico Cimarosa (1749-1801), a contemporary of Mozart. Taking place in 18th- century Italy, it is a classic tale of entangled affections and the fight for true love. After Paolino and Carolina wed secretly, and against the wishes of Carolina’s father, Geronimo, Paolino attempts to distract Geronimo by arranging a more acceptable marriage for Geronimo’s other daughter, Elisetta. However, when the potential husband instead falls for Carolina, and Carolina’s own aunt reveals her love for Paolino, a stage of plotting and scheming and amorous intrigue is set, until finally the secret marriage must be revealed.

As a production of PORTopera’s MEA Program, “The Secret Marriage” will be performed both by students native to Maine and students currently attending either the graduate or undergraduate schools of performance at the University of Southern Maine. Kathleen Scott will act as musical director for the production. An accomplished opera coach and conductor, Scott was most recently at The Manhattan School of Music and the Crittendon Opera Workshops, and has also coached for Boston Opera, Philadelphia Opera, Lake George Opera and the Goldolwsky Opera Workshops.

Tickets, $20 for aduts and $12 for students, are available by calling 583-6747 or visiting www.deertreestheatre.org.