Opera Prelude Autumn 2013 Lecture Season

Mozart's Women: his Friends, his Family and his Music

So much folklore surrounds Mozart and his relationships. In this lecture, we will be considering Mozart's most famous operas, especially in the light of the women for whom he...

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Tuesday 1 October - Tuesday 5 November 2013

Opera Prelude Autumn 2013 Lecture Season

The History of Opera: The History of the Voice

Following the evolution of vocal performance and operatic styles, this weekly course also covers the chronological framework, historical and cultural background of operas and...

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Thursday 14 November 2013, 10.30am

Opera Prelude Autumn 2013 Lecture Season

Puccini's Prima Donnas: the Role of Women in Puccini's Operas

A serial adulterer, Puccini was certainly fascinated by women! His passion found its way into his operas, with women taking the title roles in most of his best loved works. We'll...

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Tuesday 19 November 2013, 10.30am

Opera Prelude Autumn 2013 Lecture Season

Passionate Choices: The Conflict of Love and Duty seen through Verdi's Operas

When someone asks, 'So what is this opera's plot about?', the most generic answer would be 'Love'. The second most generic answer, however, would be 'Duty'. In opera, these two...

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Thursday 28 November 2013, 10.30am

Opera Prelude Autumn 2013 Lecture Season

From Mischief to Maturity: How The Barber of Seville became The Marriage of Figaro

An exploration of Rossini and Mozart's adaptation of one of Beaumarchais' most famous works. We look at how Beaumarchais originally conceived the characters we all know and love,...

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Tuesday 3 December 2013, 10.30am

Opera Prelude Autumn 2013 Lecture Season

The Last Gasp! – Opera: the Art of Dying

Operatic deaths come in many splendours; this lecture will discuss how the theme of death is dealt with in opera history, looking at the evolution of great operatic death scenes...

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Opera Prelude Autumn 2013 Lecture Season

Opera is for everyone whether you are new to opera or a seasoned aficionado! You do not need to be an expert to enjoy our performance based lectures. Of course, the more you know, the more there is to enjoy! With that in mind we aim to make each class informative, interactive and entertaining, offering singer’s insights illustrated with live performance and well known recordings. These lectures form the bridge across the footlights, bringing you nearer to opera singers and their diverse, enriching art form; increasing your knowledge and enjoyment of opera.

No previous qualifications are necessary to attend. The audience is not required to sing!