Making Sense of Puccini
Explore the life and work of Giacomo Puccini in this real-time, interactive course. Your host, opera expert Fred Plotkin, will be joined by leading singers, conductors and directors who will offer precious insights garnered in performances and study of this incomparable musical dramatist.
Each class will be 90 minutes, beginning with an introduction from Fred Plotkin, who will then be joined in conversation by his guests. Afterwards, participants of the course will be able to ask questions and discuss in real time.
Guests include soprano Ailyn Pérez and tenor Brian Jadge, who are both recurring guest stars at the Metropolitan Opera, as well as Vivien Hewitt, stage director and author of “The Land of Puccini”, among others.
All sessions will be recorded and are available to participants for re-watching until Tue, Jun 1, 2038.
Il Fanciullo di Lucca — Childhood, education and early operas: Le Villi, Edgar, Manon Lescaut
Giacomo Puccini came from generations of composers, so his career path was almost pre-ordained—and, yet, his formation was distinct in many ways. We will explore his formative years and how they led to his period of greatness.
Fred will be joined Italy-based stage director and author of “The Land of Puccini”, Vivien Hewitt.
Session duration: 90 minutes
The Sensation of Italian Opera: La Bohème, Tosca, Madama Butterfly
Puccini wrote three timeless, undisputed masterpieces that pointed to new directions in the 20th century. These works also marked him as The Man Who Loved Women (at least on the stage). We will explore how Puccini used 19th century models to create a new kind of woman on the Italian opera stage.
Fred will be joined by his guests, soprano Ailyn Pérez and tenor Brian Jadge.
Session duration: 90 minutes
La Fanciulla del West, Il Trittico
On two visits to America, the composer discovered new technologies: recording, radio broadcasting, automobiles, airplanes, telephones, electrification, modern publishing. All of these things pointed Puccini to modernity well ahead of most Italians. He also created works for the Metropolitan Opera that rank among the greatest masterpieces that company ever commissioned.
Session duration: 90 minutes
New Horizons and Final Curtains: La Rondine, Turandot
World War One, the fall of the remnants of 19th century empires, the rise of Fascism, Puccini’s move from Torre del Lago to Viareggio as he faced his final illness—all of these factors made this most popular of opera composers seem out of touch. He responded by going in new artistic directions with a knowing influence from French, German and Russian composers until his life was cut short by illness and leaving an uncertain legacy.
Session duration: 90 minutes
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