By Bradley Wakefield, Macomb Philosophy Professor
Looking for an art form that speaks as knowingly to the present as it does to the past? Ready for a cultural experience that lyricizes life while explaining away some of its most puzzling contradictions? Then, please join me on Wednesday, Feb. 6 at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts from 12:30 to 2 p.m. when the Michigan Opera Theatre (MOT) and the College presents: OperaHERE.
This is a great opportunity to learn about opera in general and the opera Candide in particular. Based on the 18th century satirical novella by Voltaire, Candide and its exploration of the tragedy of human nature was transformed into an opera in the 1950s with music composed by Leonard Bernstein, longtime director of the New York Philharmonic. Arthur White, MOT’s audience coordinator, will speak about the social, historical and economic context in which both the opera and novella are set. Mr. White will be accompanied by MOT studio artists, who will perform some of the opera’s highlights, hopefully inspiring new audiences to seek out this wonderful art form.
OperaHERE is free and open to the public, as well as Macomb students, faculty and staff. I ask you to leave your preconceived notions about opera at the door and be open to a new experience. And mark your calendars for March 9 or 10, when the MOT will perform Candide at the Macomb Center.
As an added bonus, attendance at OperaHERE is eligible for continuing education credit toward a cultural competency certificate through Macomb Multicultural International Initiatives. Make sure to register through the My Macomb Portal (Self-Service Menu>NonCredit/Con’t Ed Students) to get your credit, using code 70727.