Developing an opera department of substance and quality has been
“priority one” for Joseph Levitt since he assumed leadership of the BSU Opera
Theatre in 2006. The Opera Theatre’s success is due in no small part to his
devotion to the operatic art form. The BSU Opera Theatre presents two full
productions per season: the spring main stage production is performed in the
original language and the fall Pocket Opera, christened in 2009, is a chamber
opera performed either in the original English or in translation.
His productions include: Mozart’s Die
Zauberflöte, Don Giovanni, Così fan
tutte and The Impresario, Puccini’s Madama
Butterfly, Händel’s Giulio Cesare in Egitto, Menotti’s The
Medium, Mascagni’s L’amico Fritz and Puccini’s Suor
Angelica. Mr. Levitt has written and directed his own version of
Mozart’s The Magic Flute; a children’s version entitled: Papageno
plays the Magic Flute. This opera was commissioned by Opera Illinois. He is
also a sought-after guest director, having staged productions with Opera
Illinois, Mississippi Opera and Western Plains Opera.
Related Link
BSU Opera Theatre Web site