Dialogue of the Carmelites with Desiree Mays and Psychology of Opera with Don Fineberg and a Tasting by Cheesemongers

This program is sponsored in part by Business Council member Avalon Trust.

Francis Poulenc’s opera, The Dialogues of the Carmelites, explores the heartrending tale of sixteen nuns who voluntarily went to the guillotine during the French Revolution. Desirée Mays will discuss their historical role, their fears and hopes within the framework of a convent besieged by revolutionary violence. Desirée Mays is an international lecturer and storyteller on opera. For 20 years she has been The Santa Fe Opera’s Preview Dinner speaker and is author of 18 books in the Opera Unveiled series. Using psychology, opera’s music, staging, and narrative reveal the pathway to understand what makes us who we are. The productions of The Santa Fe Opera’s 2019 season illustrate the surprising connection between opera and the human psyche. Don Fineberg has practiced psychiatry in Santa Fe since 1978 and has led opera seminars over the last 25 years. He currently leads the Opera InSight seminar at The Santa Fe Opera, where he also talks about opera to a variety of audiences.

In the spirit of tailgating at the opera, SITE Santa Fe will partner with Cheesemongers of Santa Fe with a tasting of samplings of cheeses, charcuterie, jams, crackers, olives, dried fruits, and other accompaniments.

$10 general admission/$5 all members, students

Doors open at 5:30PM.