Theatre and Ballet and Opera

Community Theatre’s Oakley Stage: An evening of David Ives Comedy (Special Events)

            Attendance: 20

            Program Coordinator: Sonni Crawford

This is a presentation of four short plays by David Ives; ‘The Philadelphia’, ‘Variations on the Death of Trotsky’, ‘Foreplay or the Art of the Fugue’, & ‘Seven Menus’.

Crossroads Repertory Theatre –ISU A Raisin in the Sun (Special Events)

            Attendance: 16

            Program Coordinator: Ruth A. Erickson

            There will be a lecture about the play before the performance.

Pre-opera lecture Rigoletto (Special Event)

            Presenter: David Watkins, Professor Emeritus of Music, ISU         

Dr. Watkins will present insights that greatly enhances one’s understanding and enjoyment of the opera “Rigoletto”.

Dinner and Opera in Bloomington Rigoletto (Special Events)

            Attendance: 34

This special event will take members to Bloomington, Indiana for dinner and then to Indiana University for the opera “Rigoletto”.

Opera Lecture - The Wedding (Special Events)

            Presenter: David Watkins, ISU Professor Emeritus of Music

A discussion of The Wedding in preparation for seeing the performance. For more information, see The Wedding under Special Events.

Dinner and Opera Evening in Bloomington-The Wedding (Special Events)

            Attendance: 21

            Program Coordinator: Betty Martin

William Bolcom’s opera A Wedding was premiered by the Lyric Opera of Chicago in 2004.  Based on a film of the same name by Robert Altman, the libretto is by Arnold Weinstein and Altman.

Opera Lecture - The Marriage of Figaro (Special Events)

            Presenter:  David, Watkins, ISU Professor Emeritus of Music

A discussion of The Marriage of Figaro in preparation for seeing a performance. For more information, see The Marriage of Figaro under Special Events.

Dinner and Opera Evening in Bloomington-The Marriage of Figaro (Special Events)

            Attendance: 39

            Program Coordinator: Betty Martin

Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro (Le Nozze di Figaro) is one of the most popular operas in today’s repertoire.  An irresistible comedy of romance and class conflict, it faced strong opposition and censorship by the authorities of Mozart’s time. 

Ballet Lecture - “A Night at the Opera (at the Ballet)” (Special Event)

Presenter:  David Watkins,  ISU Professor Emeritus of Music

An introduction to the choreographers whose works are to be performed by Indiana University Ballet Theater. For more information, see “A Night at the Opera (at the Ballet)” under Special Events.

Dinner and Ballet Evening in Bloomington Trip: A Night at the Opera (at the Ballet) (Special Event)

            Attendance: 15

Program Coordinator: Betty Martin

With this session, OLLI introduces a trip to see a ballet, again in Bloomington at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Appropriately, the title of the evening is A Night at the Opera (at the Ballet). Works by four choreographers will be danced to music by four composers of operas: Gounod, Rossini, Handel, and Meyerbeer. George Balanchine was one of the most celebrated choreographers of the 20th century; Violette Verdy was a prominent ballerina and is now an IU faculty member; Sasha Janes is a rising star as a chorographer; and Frederick Ashton had an outstanding career based mostly in Great Britain.

To register for any of these special events, call the Osher Lifelong Learning registration office, 812-237-8707.