For this exciting session of the “Opera for Educators” seminars, I will familiarize participants with the eclectic and deeply dramatic musical style of Argentine composer Osvaldo Golijov. The many influences in Golijov’s style, drawn from his many...
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...
The final seminar of the Puccini100 series, sponsored by the Opera League of Los Angeles, will consider Puccini’s legacy and enduring popularity—not just in terms of the operas themselves, but the influence Puccini’s music has had on music theater and film...
My introductory lecture for this particular seminar sets up a day of exploration and critique critique Puccini’s Madama Butterfly—of one of the most popular, and also thematically challenging, works of the operatic canon. I will look at the historical background...
The kick-off seminar for LAUSD teachers and other opera-curious people! We open with an overview of the art form, and my talk will look at the three “pillars” of opera—the music, dramatic text (libretto), and stage production. In this brief introduction,...
