Lectures and Community Engagement 2017 –18 About the Metropolitan Opera Guild The Metropolitan Opera Guild is the world’s premier arts educa- tion organization dedicated to enriching people’s lives through the magic and artistry of opera. Thanks to the support of individuals, government agencies, foundations, and corporate sponsors, the Guild brings opera to life both on and off the stage through its educational programs. For students, the Guild fosters personal expression, collaboration, literacy skills, and self-confidence with customized education programs integrated into the curricula of their schools. For adults, the Guild enhances the opera-going experience through intensive workshops, pre-performance talks, and community outreach programs. In addition to educational activities, the Guild publishes Opera News, the world’s leading opera magazine. With Opera News, the Guild reaches a global audience with the most insightful and up-to-date writing on opera available anywhere, helping to maintain opera as a thriving, contemporary art form. For more information about the Metropolitan Opera Guild and its programs, visit metguild.org. Additional information and archives of Opera News can be found online at operanews.com. How to Use This Booklet This brochure presents the 2017–18 season of Lectures and Community Programs grouped into thematic sections—programs that emphasize specific Met performances and productions; courses on opera and its history and culture; and editorial insights and interviews presented by our colleagues at Opera News. Courses of study are arranged chronologically, and learners of all levels are welcome. To place an order, please call the Guild’s ticketing line at 212.769.7028 (Mon–Fri 10AM–4PM). Cover: A scene from Così fan tutte PHOTO: MARTIN SMITH / ENGLISH NATIONAL OPERA 2 Lectures and Community Engagement 2017 –18 WELCOME At the Metropolitan Opera Guild, we believe that opera inspires all—from the youngest audiences just discovering the thrill of opera to the experienced connois- seur. That is why, for more than 80 years, the Guild has worked to share the value and joy of music with people from all walks of life in New York City and around the world. Once again, we are proud to present a season full of exciting opportunities that take audiences deeper into the magical world of opera. Join us on a backstage tour for an up-close look at the inner workings of one of the world’s greatest opera houses, meet some of the art form’s brightest stars in our artist interview series, or gain insight through one of our pre-performance lectures. Whether you are new to this exciting art form or a seasoned operagoer, there is something for everyone at the Metropolitan Opera Guild this season. I hope you will share in the music with us, bring your friends, and be inspired! Sincerely, Richard J. Miller, Jr. President TABLE OF CONTENTS 6 Presenters, Panelists, Artists, and Staff 8 Summer HD Festival Pre-Screening Talks 9 The Met: Live in HD 2017–18 Season 10 Other Ways to Explore the Season 12 Opera Outlooks: Pre-Performance Talks 18 Opera News presents The Singers’ Studio: Casual Conversations 20 Masterly Singing Master Classes and Showcases 22 Score-Desk Tickets 23 Backstage Tours 24 Guild Membership and Ordering Information 27 Opera Learning Opportunities Saturday Score Reading Opera Boot Camp Introduction to Operatic Voice Types Introduction to the Orchestra Study Days Opera in the New Millennium Last Works Cendrillon 34 Courses Pants Roles Opera Duos 36 Continuing Opera Education Librettists of the Season Writing for the Opera Orchestra 38 Biographies of Lecturers, Presenters, Panelists, and Teachers 41 Calendar of Events 45 Metropolitan Opera Guild Board of Directors 47 Map of Event Locations PRESENTERS, PANELISTS, ARTISTS, AND STAFF PROGRAM LEADERSHIP F. Paul Driscoll Jane Marsh Editor-in-Chief Soprano Thomas M. Martin OPERA NEWS Artistic and Program Managing Director Consultant THE METROPOLITAN OPERA THE METROPOLITAN OPERA Gerald Finley GUILD GUILD Baritone Desirée Mays Stuart Holt Elizabeth Fosmire Director of School Programs & Author and Lecturer Community Engagement Community Engagement Assistant THE METROPOLITAN OPERA THE METROPOLITAN OPERA John J. H. Muller GUILD GUILD Professor of Music History and Graduate Studies Christine Goerke THE JUILLIARD SCHOOL Sir Thomas Allen Soprano Anita Rachvelishvili Baritone Paul Gruber Mezzo-Soprano Naomi Barrettara Executive Director, Program Development Sarah Melissa Rotker Program Development THE METROPOLITAN OPERA Consultant Senior Associate of Community GUILD Engagement THE METROPOLITAN OPERA THE METROPOLITAN OPERA GUILD Nimet Habachy GUILD Michael Bolton Lecturer, Writer, and Broadcaster W. Anthony Sheppard, Vice President, Community Initiatives Ph.D. OPERA PHILADELPHIA Ermonela Jaho Professor and Chair, Music Soprano WILLIAMS COLLEGE Victoria Bond Composer and Conductor Jeffrey Langford, Ph.D. Ira Siff Professor and Chair, Music Director, Vocal Coach, and History Broadcaster Sean Cooper Assistant Dean of Doctoral Bass-Baritone and Lecturer Students Adam Wasserman MANHATTAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC Digital Editor Elspeth Davis OPERA NEWS Coordinator of Community James Levine Engagement Music Director Emeritus THE METROPOLITAN OPERA THE METROPOLITAN OPERA GUILD 6 The Metropolitan Opera Guild Presents American Beauty: A TRIBUTE TO ROBERTA PETERS Roberta Peters was one of opera’s most beloved artists, an overnight star who graced the Met stage in leading roles for 35 years. Join us for a loving celebration of the life and work of this remarkable soprano, featuring video performances and reminiscences from her colleagues and family. A recep- tion will follow the program. SUN OCT 15 3–4:30 PM BRUNO WALTER AUDITORIUM, THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS Tickets: $40 public | $35 Guild members and students. To order, use the enclosed form, call 212.769.7028 or visit metguild.org/lectures. 7 SUMMER HD FESTIVAL PRE-SCREENING TALKS This series presents 11 lectures on 11 consecutive days, coinciding with the Met’s Summer HD Festival, which offers free open-air screenings of Live in HD productions on Lincoln Center Plaza. All pre-screening talks are held at the Opera Learning Center, on the sixth floor of the Samuel B. and David Rose Building on 65th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue, from 5:30 to 6:30PM. Tickets are $18 including a reserved seat to the evening’s HD screening. 11-Session Package: $165 In case of changes to the schedule or inclement weather, lecture dates will follow Met screening dates. For up-to-date information, visit metguild.org. If a screening is canceled due to weather conditions, tickets will be refunded. INGMAR BERGMAN, DIRECTOR KAIJA SAARIAHO / TCHAIKOVSKY THE MAGIC FLUTE LIBRETTO BY AMIN MAALOUF EUGENE ONEGIN L’AMOUR DE LOIN FRI AUG 25 8PM SAT SEP 2 8PM MON AUG 28 8PM A Co-Presentation of Ticciati; Netrebko, the Film Society of Mälkki; Phillips, Maximova, Dolgov, Lincoln Center and the Mumford, Owens Mattei, Kocán 2 HOURS 15 MINUTES APPROX. Metropolitan Opera 2 HOURS 40 MINUTES APPROX. 2 HOURS 15 MINUTES APPROX. PUCCINI VERDI VERDI MANON LESCAUT NABUCCO RIGOLETTO TUE AUG 29 8PM SUN SEP 3 8PM SAT AUG 26 8PM Luisi; Opolais, Alagna, Levine; Monastyrska, Mariotti; Damrau, Cavalletti, Sherratt Barton, Thomas, Volkova, Beczała, 2 HOURS 10 MINUTES APPROX. Domingo, Belosselskiy Lučić, Kocán 2 HOURS 25 MINUTES APPROX. 2 HOURS 20 MINUTES APPROX. DONIZETTI ROBERTO DEVEREUX VERDI ROSSINI WED AUG 30 8PM LA TRAVIATA IL BARBIERE Benini; Radvanovsky, MON SEP 4 8PM DI SIVIGLIA Garanča, Polenzani, Luisotti; Yoncheva, SUN AUG 27 7:45PM Kwiecien Fabiano, Hampson 2 HOURS 30 MINUTES APPROX. Benini; DiDonato, 2 HOURS 20 MINUTES APPROX. Flórez, Mattei, Del Carlo, Relyea WAGNER 2 HOURS 45 MINUTES APPROX. TRISTAN UND ISOLDE ACT I: THU AUG 31 8PM ACTS II & III: FRI SEP 1 8PM Rattle; Stemme, Gubanova, Skelton, Nikitin, Pape ACT I: 1 HOUR 45 MINUTES APPROX. ACTS II & III: 2 HOURS 35 MINUTES APPROX. 8 THE MET: LIVE IN HD 2017–18 SEASON The Met’s Peabody and Emmy Award–winning series of live performance transmissions to movie theaters around the world continues for its 12th season, featuring ten live broadcasts. Live in HD productions are seen on more than 2,000 screens in over 70 countries. Don’t miss the chance to experience the Met live at your local movie theater! For more information, visit metopera.org/HDlive. BELLINI PUCCINI ROSSINI NORMA TOSCA SEMIRAMIDE SAT OCT 7 SAT JAN 27 SAT MAR 10 Rizzi; Radvanovsky, Levine; Yoncheva, Grigolo, Benini; Meade, DiDonato, Calleja, Rose Terfel, Carfizzi DeShong, Camarena, NEW PRODUCTION NEW PRODUCTION Abdrazakov, Green MOZART DONIZETTI MOZART DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE L’ELISIR D’AMORE COSÌ FAN TUTTE SAT OCT 14 SAT FEB 10 SAT MAR 31 Levine; Schultz, Hindoyan; Yende, Robertson; Majeski, Lewek, Castronovo, Polenzani, Luciano, Malfi, O’Hara, Bliss, Werba, Van Horn, Pape D’Arcangelo Plachetka, Maltman NEW PRODUCTION THOMAS ADÈS / LIBRETTO BY TOM CAIRNS PUCCINI THE LA BOHÈME VERDI EXTERMINATING SAT FEB 24 LUISA MILLER ANGEL Armiliato; Yoncheva, SAT APR 14 SAT NOV 18 Phillips, Fabiano, Levine; Yoncheva, Petrova, Adès; Luna, Echalaz, Meachem, Lavrov, Beczała, Domingo, Matthews, Bevan, Coote, Rose, Plishka Vinogradov, Belosselskiy Rice, Davies, Kaiser, Antoun, Portillo, Moore, MASSENET Gilfry, Burdette, Van Horn, CENDRILLON Tomlinson SAT APR 28 NEW PRODUCTION de Billy; Kim, DiDonato, Coote, Blythe, Naouri NEW PRODUCTION The Met: Live in HD series is made possible by a generous grant from its founding sponsor, The Neubauer Family Foundation. Digital support of The Met: Live in HD is provided by Bloomberg Philanthropies. The HD Broadcasts are supported by Toll Brothers, America’s luxury home builder.™ Transmission of The Met: Live in HD in Canada is made possible thanks to the generosity of Jacqueline Desmarais, in memory of Paul G. Desmarais, Sr. 9 OTHER WAYS TO EXPLORE THE SEASON MET OUTREACH NEW PRODUCTION EVENTS This season, the Met partners with the Film Society of Lincoln Center and the Guggenheim Museum for two events anticipating the North American premiere of Thomas Adès and Tom Cairns’s new opera The Exterminating Angel.