Published: May 12, 2023, 6:14 a.m.
521. Part 1 of our
conversation with Charlotte Bentley about New Orleans French-language opera.
"
New Orleans and the Creation of Transatlantic Opera, 1819–1859
explores the thriving operatic life of New Orleans in the first half of
the nineteenth century, drawing out the transatlantic connections that
animated it.
.... This book pieces together what it took to bring opera to New
Orleans and the ways in which the city’s operatic life shaped
contemporary perceptions of global interconnection. The early chapters
explore the process of bringing opera to the stage, taking a detailed
look at the management of New Orleans’s Francophone theater, the
Théâtre
d’Orléans, as well as the performers who came to the city and the
reception they received. But opera’s significance was not confined to
the theater, and later chapters of the book examine how opera permeated
everyday life in New Orleans, through popular sheet music, novels,
magazines and visual culture, and dancing in its many ballrooms. Just as
New Orleans helped to create transatlantic opera, opera in turn helped
to create the city of New Orleans."
- This week in Louisiana history. May 5, 1713 Antoine Cadillac
was appointed French Gov. of Louisiana.
- This week in New Orleans history. The North Claiborne
streetcar line began running on May 13, 1868. It was a
downtown (i.e., downriver) line. From 1917 to 1925, it was
operated as a single line with the Jackson Line. Its last run
was on December 27, 1934.
- This week in Louisiana.
The Essence Festival
Caesars Superdome
New Orleans, LA
Tickets
Website
Thu, Jun 29, 2023 - Mon, Jul 3, 2023
The Essence Festival, known as "the party with a purpose", is
an annual music festival which started in 1995 as a one-time
event to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Essence, a magazine
aimed primarily towards African-American women. It became the
largest African-American culture and music event in the United
States. The festival features artists simultaneously
performing on a main stage as well as four standing-room only
superlounge stages.
- Postcards from Louisiana. Congo Square drums Easter
April 9, 2023.