Community Conversations on Faith and Freedom
Embargoed for release
November 15, 2009
Contact
Edward Wilensky, Director of Media Relations
Edward.Wilensky@sdopera.com
Telephone: (619) 232-7636
San Diego Opera Announces
“Community Conversations on Faith and Freedom”
Lecture Series will explore Verdi’s Nabucco through presentations around San Diego on the music, history and Old Testament origin of the opera.
Series Underwritten by The Viterbi Family
San Diego, CA – San Diego Opera is proud to announce “Community Conversations on Faith and Freedom” a free, citywide lecture series that explores the various aspects of Verdi’s opera Nabucco, the second opera of San Diego Opera’s 2010 season. Each lecture will offer insight into the music, history and Old Testament origin of Nabucco. A gift from Andrew and Erna Viterbi has ensured these lectures remain free and open to the public.
Lectures will be held at Lead Partner venues around the community. The Lead Partners for these lectures are the San Diego Natural History Museum, Congregation Beth Israel, Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, and the San Diego Museum of Art. A full list of lectures and topics can be found below.
Verdi’s Nabucco is considered the opera that cemented his reputation as one of the world’s greatest composers. The story is drawn from ancient history and begins with the destruction of the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar (Nabucco), the King of Babylon. The opera follows the Israelites as they struggle for freedom as Babylonian slaves. Noted for a demanding soprano role (Abigaille) the opera also includes one of the most well-known choruses “Va, pensiero” which is so beloved by Italians they are considering making it their national anthem.
All events are free and open to the public but an RSVP is required. Please visit http://www.sdopera.com/Operas/CommunityConversations/ for more information and to reserve your seat.
Community Conversations on Faith and Freedom lectures are as follows:
Nabucco, Israel and Babylon: The Impact of Exile on the Birth of Judaism and Christianity.
Presented by Dr. Nicolas Reveles, San Diego Opera’s Geisel Director of Education and Dr. Risa Levitt-Kohn, Director of Judaic Studies at San Diego State University.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 7 PM
San Diego Natural History Museum – Charmaine and Maurice Kaplan Theatre.
1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Lessons from the Exile: Babylon Revisted
Presented by Dr. Nicolas Reveles, San Diego Opera’s Geisel Director of Education and Rabbi Michael Berk, Congregation Beth Israel.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 7 PM
Congregation Beth Israel – 9001 Towne Center Dr., San Diego, CA 92122
By the Rivers of Babylon: Judaism, Empire and Exile*
Presented by Dr. Nicolas Reveles, San Diego Opera’s Geisel Director of Education and Dr. William Propp, Director of Judaic Studies Program at University of California San Diego.
Monday, February 8, 2010 at 7:30 PM
Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center – Garfield Theatre - 4126 Executive Dr., La Jolla, CA 92037
Nabucco: The Jewish Story in Art and Opera
Presented by Dr. Nicolas Reveles, San Diego Opera’s Geisel Director of Education and a curator from the San Diego Museum of Art’s European Collection.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 7 PM
San Diego Museum of Art – 1450 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
*Also scheduled at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center:
The Young Verdi and Early 19th Century Opera
Presented by Dr. Nicolas Reveles. San Diego Opera’s Geisel Director of Education
Monday, November 30, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center – Samuel and Rebecca Astor Judaica Library – 4126 Executive Dr., La Jolla, CA 92037
Verdi’s Nabucco: A Composer’s First Success.
Presented by Dr. Nicolas Reveles, San Diego Opera’s Geisel Director of Education Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center – Samuel and Rebecca Astor Judaica Library – 4126 Executive Dr., La Jolla, CA 92037
The 2010 International Season
| La bohème Giacomo Puccini | January 30, February 2, 5, 7 (m), 2010 |
| Nabucco Giuseppe Verdi | February 20, 23, 26, 28 (m), 2010 |
| Romeo and Juliet Charles Gounod | March 13, 16, 19, 21 (m), 2010 |
| La traviata Giuseppe Verdi | April 17, 20, 23, 25 (m), 2010 |
Purchasing Tickets
Three and four-opera subscriptions for the 2010 International Season are now available. Regular subscriptions range from $90 - $720 (some Saturday subscriptions slightly higher) and can be purchased by calling (619) 533-7000 or online at www.sdopera.com. Senior citizen discount packages are available for full-season Tuesday night subscribers. Call (619) 533-7000 for more information.
For information about single ticket availability and prices please visit www.sdopera.com or call (619) 533-7000 to speak to an opera representative.
$20 rush tickets, subject to availability, are available 90-minutes prior to performances. There is a one-ticket per person limit. Cash only.
General Information
A widely respected member of the international opera community, San Diego Opera brings the world’s finest artists to San Diego. Founded in 1965, and led for the last 26 years by General Director and Artistic Director Ian D. Campbell, San Diego Opera produces performances of the highest artistic quality while remaining financially stable.
www.sdopera.com