Ever notice that French-language opera doesn’t get the same time in the programming spotlight as Italian-language opera? No fair! I will dive into the rich history of French opera and focus especially on the cultural, aesthetic, and musical world of French grand opera in the 19th century—a repertoire that had a strong influence on both Verdi, Wagner, and of course Charles Gounod.

Other presenters include musicologist Dr. Tiffany Kuo (Gounod and Music Culture in the French Second Empire), dramaturg Dr. Miranda Johnson-Haddad (The Shakespearean Story Behind Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette), LA Opera Chorus Director Jeremy Frank (The Music of Roméo et Juliette) and educator Susan Convirs (Lessons and Resources).

The “Opera for Educators” program—an initiative of LA Opera Connects—offers half-day seminars on Zoom, each of which explores one of the main-stage works of the current season. An array of scholars, educators, and artists come together to enrich participants’ appreciation and understanding of historic and contemporary opera.

LAUSD teachers are able to get professional-development credit, but all opera lovers are welcome to join the seminars!