Converse Opera Double Feature: The Old Maid and the Thief & Children of the Sun
Join us for a compelling evening of opera that blends sharp wit with heartfelt storytelling in two powerful one-act works.
Gian Carlo Menotti’s The Old Maid and the Thief
This darkly comic opera explores the scandalous secrets lurking behind small-town respectability. When the prim Miss Todd and her clever maid Laetitia take in a charming drifter, Bob, their quiet lives spiral into chaos. As suspicion grows that Bob may be a wanted criminal, the women begin committing crimes themselves—ironically becoming the real villains in their quest to keep him. Menotti’s lively score and biting humor make this opera a delightful satire of gossip, desire, and moral hypocrisy.
Henry Mollicone’s Children of the Sun
Children of the Sun involves the story of Juan Diego and his miraculous encounters with the Virgin Mary, which leads to the conversion of the indigenous people of Mexico. The Virgin appears to Juan Diego, tells him to gather roses on Tepeyac Hill as proof of her power, and the image of her appears on his tilma when he presents them to the skeptical Lord Bishop. The opera concludes with the indigenous people, referred to as the “Children of the Sun,” being restored to their faith and invited to a divine glory.
Don’t miss this unique pairing of contrasting works—one satirical, one deeply reflective—that together offer an unforgettable operatic experience.
Ticket Prices
Adults: $18.00
Youth (18 & under): $12.00
Senior (65 & over): $12.00
Converse Faculty, Staff, & Students – One free admission with a Converse ID
