Ah, star-cross’d lovers! I’ll be giving the pre-performance talk for LA Opera‘s production of Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette. I’ll delve into the particular history and aesthetic traditions of French opera, I’ll spotlight some of the charms (those duets!) of this canonic operatic adaptation of Shakespeare’s enduring romantic tragedy.

The production (by the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Ian Judge) stars soprano Amina Edris as Juliette and tenor Duke Kim as Roméo. Venezuelan conductor Domingo Hindoyan and LA Opera Resident Conductor Lina González-Granados share conducting duties for this very special stage presentation.

Note: I’ll be giving the lectures for Nov. 2, 10, 20, and 23. My colleague Dr. Ross Mitchell with be covering Nov. 14 and 17 while I’m away at a conference.