Shakespeare Through Music

Shakespeare is recognized by many to be the greatest English dramatist; music greatly enhances the impact of words. It’s no surprise then that dramas of Shakespeare set to music as opera, ballet, or film are unique.

Join presenter Stan Misler as you read Hamlet, Othello and Much Ado about Nothing, listen to the operas by Thomas, Verdi and Berlioz and begin to analyze and compare. Review Romeo and Juliet, watch MacMillan’s ballet (set to music by Prokofiev) and judge how dance with complex mime tells an intense love story.

Six classes across seven weeks. 1 - 3:30 PM. No registration required. (Note that the start date has moved from June 2 to June 9.)

Session 1 (6/9): Introduction to Shakespeare: setting Romeo and Juliet to music

Session 2 (6/16): Building a Shakespeare Opera: Thomas, Hamlet

Session 3 (6/30): The Greatest Operatic Tragedy: Verdi/Boito, Otello

Session 4 (7/7): Great Comic Opera: Berlioz, Beatrice et Benedict; Verdi/Boito, Falstaff

Session 5 (7/14): The Song in Shakespeare Plays, with a mini recital by James Stevens (tenor) and Kirt Pavitt (piano)

Session 6 (7/21): Shakespeare Set to Music Potpourri: Incidental, Film and Dance

Presenter: Stanley Misler, MD, PhD Emeritus Faculty, Internal Medicine and Cell Biology / Physiology, Washington University Medical Center

For information about parking, see the Central Library Parking page. For information about accessibility, visit our Accessibility & Accommodations page.

Contact Wes Harbison with questions. See contact information box.