Ticket to the Opera: Short and (NOT) Sweet (IN-PERSON)
Class | Registration opens 1/27/2025 9:00 AM
This is a hybrid class being held in-person and on Zoom.
THIS REGISTRATION IS FOR IN-PERSON AT TEMPLE BETH-EL.
A challenging proposition: can an opera engage us, tear at our hearts, tickle our funny bones in about an hour? Does the music soar? Do the characters come alive? Are we swept away by tragic stories of passion, lust, betrayal and revenge? Do they make us laugh at human foibles and flaws? All in such a short time (from the operatic point of view). Join the challenge as we consider seven short operas – some “chestnuts” from the repertoire, others less known, and see whether in opera, it doesn’t have to be long to be good.
Format: Participants are encouraged to give short presentations and lead discussions about the operas we will be viewing. PowerPoint is NOT necessary. Class members will view the operas independently.
Resources/Expenses: The coordinators will designate specific online performances for each opera for viewing. Some will be on YouTube (free). Others can be obtained from Metropolitan Opera on Demand for $4.95 each or by monthly subscription ($14.95/month).
Coordinators Penny Backman, Linda Shamoon (technical assistance), and Penney Stein are all opera aficionados and have coordinated this class many times in the past.
Penny Backman
Penny Backman has always been a classical music and opera enthusiast. She lived many years in Cleveland, loving the Cleveland Orchestra, and often returns to hear them again. When traveling, she locates the opera/music halls as soon as she lands.
Linda Shamoon
Linda Shamoon taught courses on writing in electrotonic environments at URI. She has co-coordinated over twenty courses, including numerous iterations of the popular Concerts and Conversations course, and currently heads the LLC Technology Committee.
Penney Stein
Penney Stein is an avid fan of classical music, opera, jazz, folk and classic rock.