Opera at USC’s free performances are April 14 and 15

In addition to two fully staged operas with orchestra each year, Opera at USC presents free one-act operas in the USC School of Music Recital Hall (813 Assembly St.) with piano accompanist. The Lanny and Sidney Palmer One Act Series presents two comedies on Saturday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m. and a Sunday matinee on April 15 at 3:00 p.m. directed by Tyler Eighmey, in his second year toward a master’s in music with a concentration in opera theater stage direction.

Le 66 by Jacques Offenbach

Does he have the winning lottery ticket? The story takes place right outside of Ottawa, Canada in 1962. Cousins Frantz and Grittly have heard that Grittly’s sister is in trouble and are hitchhiking across Canada to come to her aid. On their way they meet Berthold, a traveling salesman, who claims Frantz has the winning numbers to a lottery. Upon learning that he won, Frantz borrows money from the salesman and goes on a spending spree, coming back dressed in absurd luxury. Grittly, Berthold and Frantz himself soon find out how money can truly change a person. Frantz and Grittly decide to part ways and eventually figure out exactly who this Berthold character really is. Sung in French with English supertitles.

La cambiale di matrimonio (The Marriage Contract) by Gioachino Rossini

All the verve, wit, madcap energy, and sparkling musicality that is the trademark of Gioachino Rossini’s mature operatic output are abundantly present in this opera by the precocious 18-year-old Rossini. Set in London in 1810, Tobia Mill is eagerly awaiting the arrival of a fellow shopkeeper Slook, traveling from the New World. He has secret plans to marry his daughter Fanny to this man and has all the pieces in place. When the word gets out about this marriage, Fanny, hurt and upset, begins plotting with her secret lover Edoardo on how to get rid of this stranger. Slook arrives in London fascinated by their unusual customs and eager to meet his new wife. He soon finds out that she doesn't want anything to do with this marriage, but is afraid to tell him why. Mad and upset, he refuses to honor Tobia Mill’s marriage contract and is promptly challenged to a duel. Is death the only solution for the two? Will Fanny have to marry this odd Canadian or her soul mate? Sung in Italian with English supertitles.