You reached this page through the archive. Click here to return to the archive.

Note: This article is over a year old and information contained in it may no longer be accurate. Please use the contact information in the lower-left corner to verify any information in this article.

Classics Students to Perform Latin Play

by Pat Anfinson
March 9, 2007

Christiansen Hall of Music, 233, 7:30 p.m.

St. Olaf Classics students will perform Plautus' Menaechmi, an ancient Roman comedy, in a musical mixture of English and Latin. Long a favorite among Plautus' plays, the Menaechmi was the inspiration behind Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors. The plot hinges on the confusion caused by mistaken identity; in the end the Menaechmus twins are reunited, and everyone lives happily ever after.

Each performance includes six songs, based either on Plautus' lyrical passages or on dialogue passages converted to songs. The students use their natural talents, utilizing the instruments that its members play.

In addition to giving two free public performances at St. Olaf, the show will tour to other schools in southeastern Minnesota. The students have performed at the national convention of Eta Sigma Phi and at the annual meeting of the Classical Association of the Middle West and South.

No knowledge of Latin is required to enjoy the show; the play is performed in a musical mixture of English and Latin. All performances are free and open to the public. This is family entertainment, so children are welcome. No tickets are necessary, but if you would like a good seat, you should try to arrive early.

Contact Pat Anfinson at 507-786-3032 or panfin@stolaf.edu.