Opera for Educators: Puccini’s “Turandot”

Opera for Educators: Puccini’s “Turandot”

My presentation for this special Turandot seminar—an initiative of LA Opera Connects—will set the opera in the context of Puccini’s Italy and highlight significant stylistic elements in the composer’s final work, still incomplete when he died. Crafted...
Pre-performance Lecture: LA Opera’s “La Traviata”

Pre-performance Lecture: LA Opera’s “La Traviata”

I will be giving the pre-performance lecture on one of the most popular opera in the canonic repertoire, Verdi’s La traviata! This new production by Shawna Lucey (General Director and CEO of Opera San Jose ) drew enthusiastic reviews with audiences and critics...
LA Opera: Opera in the Classroom Seminar

LA Opera: Opera in the Classroom Seminar

Part of the LAO’s “Opera for Educators” seminars, this particular event aims to educate—and inspire—K-12 teachers about ways to incorporate opera into their lesson plans. My presentation, “Fairy Tales, Opera, and the Art of Retelling,” will consider...
Opera for Educators: Verdi’s “La traviata”

Opera for Educators: Verdi’s “La traviata”

In this “Opera for Educators” seminar—offered by LA Opera Connects—I’ll be talking about the role of production in creating new meanings of older works such as La traviata, Verdi’s most enduringly popular opera. LA Opera is presenting the work...
Opera for Educators: El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego

Opera for Educators: El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego

My contribution to this Los Angeles Opera Connects seminar for K-12 educators and opera lovers will be an exploration of composer Gabriela Lena Frank and her relationship to Hispanic and Latin American culture, history, and language as well as her orchestral...