November Series: Opera For Everyone with Erika Reitshamer

Experience the thrills of three of Giuseppe Verdi’s early operas! Free to all!

Nabucco.
Sunday, November 5, 2-3:30 PM, Tarbell Room.
Nabucco and the captivity of the Israelites in Babylon has resonated with people struggling for freedom across the globe. The chorus of the Hebrew slaves “Va pensiero” gave voice to a simmering Italian nationalism and became the unofficial anthem of the Italian Independence movement. Cast: Renato Bruson, Ghena Dimitrova, Paata Burchuladze.

Ernani
Sunday, November 12, 2-3:30 PM, Tarbell Room.
Three men vie for the hand of the beautiful, young Elvira: Ernani, the outlawed nobleman reduced to banditry; Don Ruy Gomez de Silva, Elvira’s guardian and unwelcome prospective husband; and Don Carlo, the King of Spain and future Holy Roman Emperor. Cast: Leona Mitchell, Luciano Pavarotti, Sherrill Milnes, Ruggero Raimondi.

Attila the Hun
Sunday, November 19, 2-3:30 PM, Tarbell Room.
Attila is attempting to conquer the world. After invading Aquileia, the Huns take a group of Virgins that survived the assault. One of the virgins is the beautiful Odabella. Odabella agrees to be loyal to Attila but secretly plans to murder him. Cast: Ildar Abdrazakov, Vladislav Sulimsky, Anna Markarova, Mariinsky Theater production.

The presenter, Erika Reitshamer, is returning to Lincoln Library with a 3-week opera course. She is a lifelong student and lover of opera who thoroughly enjoys passing on her passion to others. She was active in the formation of the Boston Lyric Opera Company more than 40 years ago, led opera tours to Europe and served as Vice President of the Boston Wagner Society for many years. She taught opera appreciation for Lifelong Learning at Regis College for 9 years and lectures at libraries, town halls and retirement communities.