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Profs. Robert Alter and Ron Hendel with Nicholas McGegan and Clifford (Kip) Cranna—From the Page to the Stage: The Bible in Text and Opera

- Pacific Time Virtual Program

The Bible has been a font of inspiration for composers throughout the ages. This course pairs passages highlighting dramatic Biblical stories with their interpretations in opera and oratoria spanning Baroque to 20th-century music.

Grab a taste of the course in this specially-curated Spotify playlist – featuring operas from the curriculum! Note: You'll need to register for a free Spotify account to listen to the playlist.

In partnership with Cantata Collective: "... local early-music luminaries devoted to [J.S. Bach's] 200-plus compositions in the [Cantata] genre" -- San Francisco Chronicle

Tuesdays, January 14–March 11 @ 7–8:30pm, on Zoom

Please read the relevant biblical chapters ahead of sessions 1, 3, 5, 7, preferably using Robert Alter’s translation.

This is an eight-session course and we realize you may miss one or two sessions. Rest assured the sessions will be recorded so you'll be able to watch the video of any session you might miss.

01/14*—Alter and Hendel: Saul, David & Jonathan (1 Samuel Chapters 17-20, 24, 31, and 2 Samuel Chapter 1)

01/21—McGegan: Saul, David & Jonathan

01/28*—Alter and Hendel: Samson & Delilah (Judges Chapter 16)

02/04—Cranna: Samson & Delilah

02/11*—Alter & Hendel: Esther (Book of Esther)

(no class on 02/18)

02/25—Cranna: Esther

03/04*—Alter & Hendel: Jephta (Judges, Chapter 11)

03/11—McGegan: Jephta, Idomeneo, Iphigenie