In the Wings

Lucretia is a creation of allegory, history and myth entwined, one that can help us understand on one level, the founding of the ancient Roman Republic; on another, the inherent tension between honor, patriarchy, and tyranny; and on still another, the nature of power itself.

It may be impossible to talk about revolutions and opera without circling back to that iconic, endearing, clever barber, Figaro—an archetypal character who has transcended genres, charmed generations, and helped inspire a revolution.

Julie d’Aubigny led an incredible life full of adventure and defied expectations for “ladylike” behavior. She carried on public love affairs with both men and women; often dressed in men’s clothing; was once sentenced to death; and achieved acclaim on the leading operatic stages of Paris and beyond.

In celebration of our 2018/19 Season, take a tour through opera history to find 7 examples that upended societal expectations, charted their own course, and imagined the world anew. Installment #3 – we turn to the Risorgimento in Italy and the mythic status of an unforgettable Verdi anthem.

Who are the Dissenters and Rebels of opera? In celebration of our 2018/19 Season, take a tour through opera history to find seven examples who upended societal expectations and inspired others to imagine the world anew. First up: poor artists living la vie bohème in 19th-century Paris.

As BLO has been rehearsing and preparing Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti, we have been getting a lot of feedback, both internally from our staff and artists and externally from our community members, about the pivotal scene that gives the opera its name.

Get to know two Leonard Bernstein masterpieces, TROUBLE IN TAHITI and ARIAS & BARCAROLLES in 5 minutes or less before BLO's new production in May 2018.

BLO's new production of The Threepenny Opera runs MAR 16-25. Here's what you need to know.

Take a tour through BLO's "Top Ten" opera memories from 2017...

Edinburgh's schools of anatomy were thriving in the early 19th century - but fresh bodies were scarce. Explore the historical context of BURKE & HARE.