Using guest speakers and student artists to break down these two pieces Mr. Winters explains the history and background of not only the operas themselves but of the composers and the world the composers lived in. A good example of this was Mr Winter's explanation of the "Doll Song" in Hoffman, which was written to show how many sopranos of Offenbach"s day were mindless divas wound up by their conductors. Performed beautifully by student artist Allison Pohl, the combination of the discussion and performance made the story all the more relevant and real.

Tales of Hoffman by Jacques Offenbach will be performed in its original French, with English supertitles of course. It is actually three stories in one - a poet Hoffman tell his audience the stories of his three greatest loves. The first is actually a doll he confuses for a real girl. The problems inherent there are fairly obvious. The second great love has consumption and must avoid her one true passion, singing, because the effort it takes will cost her life. The third and final love Hoffman tells of is a courtesan who betrays him. 

Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert and Sullivan is of course probably the most well-known production this season. This comedic operetta tells the tale of Fredric who has been mistakenly apprenticed by pirates (his hard of hearing nurse mistook an instruction to apprentice him to a "pilot"). Frederic is just finishing the apprenticeship and announces his intention to now rid the world of piracy. He likes his comrades, but believes their job is an evil one, even though they have a strict policy of never robbing orphans. Ruth the nurse being the only woman he has ever know, Frederic has agreed to marry her when he meets girls nearer his own age. He renounces Ruth and falls in love with Mabel. Chaos ensues as Ruth tries to win Frederic back, the pirates try to marry Mabel's sisters, and a Major-General sings fun patter about vegetable, animal, and mineral.

At the end of each discussion there was a quiz for the audience that really got people excited about the operas they were about to see.  The night was was extremely enjoyable and informative, a real taste of the season ahead. As for the student artists, I have to say that

if the singers in the opera are as good as the students, the season will be amazing indeed.

I, for one, can not wait for the season to start and look forward to each production presented this year. I encourage anyone who loves opera or perhaps is just curious for a new experience to give this classic art a chance at Harrison Opera House this year.

Tales of Hoffman is currently in production and Pirates of Penzance opens November 9, 2007.