Come learn the stories behind some of the greatest works of classical music, each term offering eight fascinating and fun lectures – choose the subject that most appeals to you or attend them all. No prior music history knowledge necessary: the only pre-requisite is the love of music!
| Fall Term: 19th Century Italian Opera | Sep 22 – Dec 1 |
| Rossini, Donizetti, Bellini, Verdi, Puccini – 19th Century Italy continues to dominate the history of opera. For our first term we will look at all the great blockbusters (and some hidden gems) in the repertoire, finishing with a backstage trip to Vancouver Opera’s production of Verdi’s La Traviata. | |
| Winter Term: Baroque Keyboard Music | Jan 12 – Mar 8 |
| In Term 2 we will trace the development of Baroque keyboard styles, discussing the music and the many types of keyboard instruments that existed during that time. The term will finish with Sir András Schiff’s performance of the Goldberg Variations (VRS). (No class Feb 23) |
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| Spring Term: Symphonic Forms | Apr 26 – Jun 21 |
| Have you ever attended a VSO concert and wondered what makes something a symphony, overture, suite, or concerto? In Term 3 we will analyse the various forms of symphonic music in class and then go backstage at the Orpheum to meet the musicians and conductors at their rehearsals. | |