All you need to know about how to fully appreciate and enjoy Opera! What is an opera? How is it different from plays, operettas, musicals, or film? What should we listen for in an Opera? You’ll learn a very brief history of Opera’s origins and development, some basic terminology, and other facets of the art form such as how an Opera is produced from scratch and how a composer works with a librettist to develop the Opera. Discover what the singer’s role is in the creation of an Opera and how that role has changed over time. We’ll discuss how Opera has been a mirror of its time and culture and examine Opera’s relevance for the future. The lecture will be accompanied by live musical performances by artists from The American Center for Puccini Studies. Dr. Harry N. Dunstan, Operatic Tenor, Founding Artistic Director, The American Center for Puccini Studies Kay Krekow, Soprano, Managing Director, The American Center for Puccini Studies