Opera Previews
All lectures are presented by veteran opera lecturer, Norm Hollingshead, who will illustrate his commentary with musical excerpts from his own collection of recordings, many quite rare.
Falstaff | Amelia
Falstaff by Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)
Giuseppe Verdi composed 28 operas in his long career. His first was Oberto in 1840 when he was 26 and his last was Falstaff in 1893 when he was 80. What’s so amazing about Falstaff is not just that he was 80 when he completed it but that it is a comedy after a career of mostly tragic melodramas. At no point in Falstaff does Verdi betray his age.
Based upon Shakespeare’s Merry Wives of Windsor, Falstaff contains some of the lightest, sunniest and most amusing music ever written for an opera.
Wednesday, February 10, 7pm
Issaquah Library
Thursday, February 11, 7pm
Shoreline Library
Wednesday, February 17, 7pm, 320th
Federal Way 320th Library
Thursday, February 18, 7pm
Kirkland Library
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Sunday, February 21, 2pm
Vashon Island Library
Tuesday, February 23, 7pm
Newport Way Library
Wednesday, February 24, 7pm
Mercer Island Library
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Opera Preview: Amelia
Amelia, Seattle Opera's first world premiere opera in more than three decades, is a result of a collaboration between Daron Aric Hagen (music) and Gardner McFall (libretto) and is based on an original story by Seattle favorite, Stephen Wadsworth.
Amelia unfolds over a 30 year span, beginning with the American experience in Vietnam. The title character, a new mother living in the 90s, moves from preoccupation with wounds from the past to embracing her life and the creative force of love and family. This new opera promises a rich emotional journey for any audience, but especially for American audiences. This lecture will presented by veteran lecturer, Norm Hollingshead, who will illustrate his commentary with musical excerpts.
Monday, April 12, 7pm
Redmond Library
Wednesday, April 14, 7pm
Burien Library
Monday, April 19, 7pm
Kirkland Library
Wednesday, April 21, 7pm
Issaquah Library
Thursday, April 22, 7pm
Bothell Library
Monday, April 26, 7pm
Shoreline Library |
Wednesday, April 28, 7pm
Federal Way 320th Library
Sunday, May 2, 2pm
Vashon Library
Monday, May 3, 7pm
Bellevue Library
Tuesday, May 4, 7pm
Newport Way Library
Wednesday, May 5, 7pm
Mercer Island Library |
Sponsored by the Friends of the Libraries. |
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Reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities is available; please contact the library prior to the event if you require accommodation.
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Last Updated:
February 9, 2010