Hutton Honors College

Opera 102
Preview of Upcoming IU Operas by Handel, Glass, and Verdi!

Wednesday, Jan. 16, 5-6:15 p.m.
Musical Arts Center (101 N. Jordan Ave.)
Light refreshments provided.
SIGN-UP REQUIRED: See details below

Whether you love opera already or haven't yet tried it, join music critic Peter Jacobi for a program that will deepen your experience and enjoyment of this springs's grand productions at the MAC.

George Frederic Handel's Xerxes
Philip Glass' Akhnaten
Giuseppe Verdi's Falstaff

Without leaving Bloomington, you can travel to three very different settings and times—Persia in 480 BC, Egypt in 14th century BC, and England during the reign of Henry IV in the late 14th and early 15th centuries—and experience three quite different versions of opera as composed by a German in the 18th century, an American in the 20th, and an Italian in the 19th.

Which one uses no violins? Which one has parts sung in the language of the place in which the opera is set but other parts in the language of the audience? What do these three have in common that makes them all operas? What will be the most thrilling moments and the most challenging notes? The things to watch and to listen for? What is it about opera that can move us so deeply even when sung in a language we don't know?

Jacobi will guide you through the spring season and respond to your questions-whatever they might be--about opera, The program will also include a presentation by MAC manager Tridib Pal of newly created costumes, how they were researched and constructed, for the new productions of Xeres and Aknaten, We have been told the new costumes are magnificent and will "knock your socks off." You will get to see them up close.

SIGN-UP INFO: If you are interested in attending this undergraduate event, please check your schedule to make sure you are available for the entire event and e-mail Anna Duquaine (aduquain@indiana.edu), indicating you wish to sign up for the "Opera 102" program and include your name, e-mail address, year in school, and field(s) of study. Space is limited so we will let you know by e-mail if a space was available when you replied. This event is co-sponsored by the Wells Scholars Program.