EVDOL 30 - Opera This Season

Scott Eyerly
Designed for both newcomers and enthusiasts, this course explores the delights of a great art form from contrasting angles. The spring term begins with a new Metropolitan Opera production, among the year’s major artistic events: Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde, featuring superstar soprano Lise Davidsen in her Met role debut, staged by visionary director Yuval Sharon, also making his Met debut. The semester continues with a mix of classics and premieres: Verdi’s La Traviata, offering a rare chance to see three great sopranos rotate the role on the Met stage; Eugene Onegin, Tchaikovsky’s haunting tale of love and missed chances; Saariaho’s Innocence, a powerful study of a tragedy’s aftermath that created a sensation at its 2021 European premiere; and Gabriela Lena Frank’s El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego, a highly anticipated new work about legendary artist couple Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.

After a brief look at the historical background of each opera, attention turns to the score and libretto itself: Why does Tchaikovsky deny his title character a solo yet give Tatyana a huge one, the famous “Letter Scene”? How does Wagner weave together a five-hour score using dozens of short musical motives? Enhanced by recorded audio and visual excerpts, this lively course encourages novices and aficionados alike to think differently about opera.

The works surveyed in this course are scheduled for performance in New York, allowing students, outside of class, an opportunity to see the operas being discussed. No prior knowledge of the subject matter is necessary.

Biography: Scott Eyerly

Two Sections Available | 13 Classes Total | Extension Holiday Schedule

EVDOL 30 01:

Tuesdays 5:30–7pm ET

January 27–April 28

Mode: Online

EVDOL 30 02:

Wednesdays 5:30–7pm ET

January 28–April 29

Mode: In Person

$683

Register by Phone: (212) 799-5000 ext. 273

Our phone line is open Monday–Friday (excluding holidays), 9:00 am–5:00 pm ET.