PreOpera Talks

Arrive early and join us one hour prior to curtain for an engaging pre-opera lecture, designed to enrich your experience and deepen your connection to the performance, and presented by local experts. This complementary presentation provides fascinating historical context, behind-the-scenes insights, and highlights of key themes to look for during the show. Whether you’re a seasoned opera lover or a newcomer, our pre-opera talk will add new layers of meaning to the story unfolding on stage. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more and enjoy opera on a whole new level!

Carmen

Friday, October 10 at 6:30 pm
Sunday, October 12 at 1:00 pm
Valentine Theatre Grand Lobby

Join us before the performance for a lively and engaging pre-opera talk with musicologist Ryan Ebright. Dr. Ebright will guide you through the drama, history, and music of Carmen, offering fresh insights that will enrich your experience of Bizet’s masterpiece. Whether you’re a first-time operagoer or a seasoned fan, his fascinating perspective will deepen your connection to the story and the score.

Ryan Ebright is an Associate Professor of Musicology at Bowling Green State University. His research centers on opera and experimentalism, and his work has appeared in the New York Times, New Yorker, Opera News, Cambridge Opera Journal, and American Music, among other publications. As a public scholar, he has given public talks and written essays for organizations including Opera Philadelphia, Detroit Opera, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Toledo Symphony, and WGTE Public Media, and he appears in the 2025 documentary Monk in Pieces.