Based on the true life story of an 18th–century French actress, <bAdriana Lecou-vreur</b is a story of love, death and betrayal. In the opera, Adriana and Maurizio are in love. That doesnยt matter to Princess de Bouillon, who wants Maurizio for herself. Prince de Bouillon is oblivious to his wifeยs affairs because heยs off chasing his mistress, Duclos. Things get complicated when the prince mistakenly thinks that Maurizio is after Duclos. He hatches a plan to catch them in the act, and everything goes to hell from there. (You have to wonder just how good-looking Maurizio must be, donยt you?) Before itยs all over with, Adriana is poisoned and dies in Maurizioยs arms.
Viennese-born soprano Aida Baligh makes her Opera in the Heights debut as Adriana (she shares the role with Melanie Denzlinger). Taยu Pupuยa, a lyric tenor from the South Pacific Polynesian kingdom of Tonga, appears as Maurizio (along with John Tsotsoros). 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, through February 2. Lambert Hall, 1703 Heights Boulevard. For tickets and information, call 713-861-5303 or visit www.operaintheheights.org. $31 to $45.
Thursdays-Sundays, 7:30 p.m. Starts: Jan. 24. Continues through Feb. 2, 2008
This article appears in Jan 24-30, 2008.