Tuesdays, Mar. 30-Apr. 13 & May 4, 10.30am-12.45pm

Blue Hill Public Library, Howard Room

Facilitator: Linda Lesko

in session

Many opera composers and librettists have chosen world mythology or works of great dramatists as the inspiration for their art. They have transformed this literature through music to convey the ideas and feelings that are at the heart of these stories.

In this colloquy we will read specific familiar myths and dramas and study several operas based on this literature. The Met will be presenting the HD simulcast of Ambroise Thomas' opera Hamlet on Saturday, Mar. 27, 2010 at The Grand in Ellsworth, which might serve as a good starting place for our first discussion since most are familiar with Shakespeare's drama.

 

 

Linda Lesko, is a retired educator and lifelong student and lover of opera.

 

 

 

• Read (or re-read) Shakespeare's Othello and try to view a performance on DVD of one of the many presentations of this drama, perhaps from Netflix. We will discuss and hear Verdi's Othello
  
  
• We will also hear and discuss Verdi's last opera, Falstaff, which is based on Shakespeare's character, Falstaff, in The Merry Wives of Windsor and Henry IV, part I and II. It might be good to familiarize yourself with Shakespeare's comic yet complex figure, again by reading the plays or viewing a performance on DVD.
  
  
• We will also be discussing and hearing portions of Berlioz' epic opera, considered the classic French opera, Les Troyens, based mostly on the first four books of Virgil's Aeneid. I would suggest going to Wikipedia to read a summary of this work, especially the first four books.
  
  
• If you are familiar with the above operas or have a favorite opera based on other great works of literature or classical mythology we would all appreciate sharing your experience and insights.
  
  
• Those of you who will be attending the HD Met Opera performance of Hamlet on March 27 at the Grand in Ellsworth might like to share your thoughts as a beginning to our Colloquy on March 30th. The March 2010 issue of Opera News has several articles on this production. You can read the magazine at the Blue Hill Public Library.