Presented by Simon Williams
There is one theme in opera that has been treated more frequently than any other, and that is Romantic love. Indeed, there are few operas that do not feature Romantic love as a principal concern. Perhaps one of the major reasons for this is the suitability of operatic music to explore all aspects of this emotional experience, which is central to human life. The first talk will center on Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor and Verdi’s La Traviata, two of the classic tragedies of the Romantic age; the second will explore contrasting concepts of love in Wagner’s Die Walküre and Tristan und Isolde; the final talk will center on two major operas of the fin de siècle, Saint-Saëns’ Samson et Dalila and Zandonai’s Francesca da Rimini. All talks will include video extracts and should be of interest to those who are new to opera as well as seasoned operagoers.
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Earlier Event: January 25
The Hapsburg Empire 1/2
Later Event: January 31
The Hermitage Field Trip