Opera Preview: Francesca da Rimini

Blue Hill, Maine - Riccardo Zandonai's Francesca da Rimini comes to the Grand in Ellsworth on Saturday, March 16th, by live simulcast from the Metropolitan Opera in New York. To help music lovers prepare for this event, the Bagaduce Music Lending Library and Friends of the Blue Hill Public Library will join together to introduce and study this theatrical journey at 1:00 PM on Friday, March 15th, in the Howard Room of the Blue Hill Public Library.

Zandonai's compelling opera, inspired by an episode from Dante's Inferno, returns in the Met's “ravishingly beautiful” production, last seen in 1986. Dramatic soprano Eva-Maria Westbroek and tenor Marcello Giordani are the doomed lovers. Marco Armiliato conducts.

Local opera enthusiasts Linda Lesko and David Porter will summarize the plot, introduce the music and offer some ideas of special ways to enjoy the Saturday simulcast. All are welcome, no previous opera knowledge is needed, and admission is free. For more information, call the library at 374-5515.