‘Curtain Talk’ with Christine Brewer Before Met at the Hett Opera on Dec. 3

Lebanon, Ill. — Music lovers will get a special treat when opera superstar and McKendree University alumna Christine Brewer returns to her alma mater for a pre-show “curtain talk” on Saturday morning, Dec. 3 at the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts.

The Grammy Award-winning soprano will share insight on Georg Friedrich Handel, composer of the featured opera “Rodelinda,” and her life as a performer on and off the stage. The informal talk will begin at 10:45 a.m., before the Met at the Hett’s “Live in HD” simulcast of “Rodelinda” from the New York Metropolitan Opera at 11:30 a.m.

“We’re very excited to have Christine back in the Hett,” said Hett Director Peter Palermo about the Class of 1976 McKendree graduate and Lebanon resident.

The curtain talk is free to all ticket holders. General admission seating is $18 adults, $15 seniors, and $10 children and full-time students with ID. To purchase tickets, go online to theHett.com, or call the box office during weekday business hours at 618-537-6863. Personal checks, cash and major credit cards are accepted.

Renée Fleming will reprise the title role in “Rodelinda,” joined by Stephanie Blythe and countertenor Andreas Scholl. Baroque specialist Harry Bicket conducts. Run time is approximately four hours and 15 minutes.

-McK-

 

The Russel E. and Fern M. Hettenhausen Center for the Arts—“The Hett”—is Southern Illinois’ premier performing arts venue, presenting world class dance, drama, classical music and jazz. The 488-seat auditorium is located on the McKendree University campus in Lebanon, Illinois, 25 miles from downtown St. Louis. www.theHett.com