Il mondo della luna
Young lovers outwitting a stuffy guardian = the plot of almost all commedia dellarte plays and thus of most comic operas. The twist in Haydns 1777 Il mondo della luna (The World in the Moon) is that the lovers hypnotize the old poop Buonafede and convince him that hes traveled to the moon. No, seriously. It should make for some wacky scenic effects and costumes (one of the lovers impersonates the Emperor of the Moon), especially since the UW School of Musics opera program is known for innovative, imaginative, witty productions of familiar and unfamiliar works alike. Haydns one of those composers, like Schubert and Schumann, who were never quite able to apply the genius of their instrumental music to making an enduring stage work. If anyone can make a case for this opera, it should be the UW crew. Noel Koran directs, Meena Hwang conducts. Meany Hall, UW campus, 543-4880, www.music.washington.edu. $15$25. 7:30 p.m. Fri., Nov. 14 and 3 p.m. Sun., Nov. 16. GAVIN BORCHERT
Wed., Nov. 12, 7:30 p.m.; Fri., Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., Nov. 16, 3 p.m., 2008
