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January 16, 2007

Psychoanalysts Look at Opera

The opera with its music and high drama is fertile ground for explorations of the human psyche and the human condition thereby enriching a patron's experience of it. Two local psychoanalytic societies, the DC Program of the New York Freudian Society and the
Baltimore Washington Society for Psychoanalysis, are combining their efforts to provide a series of programs on the operas presented by the
Baltimore Opera Company beginning with Tosca in spring 2007.

Dr. Thomas Allen, a Baltimore psychiatrist and psychoanalyst with an interest in the opera since medical school will be the first discussant

The story of Tosca is driven by the artist Cavaradossi in the Church of Sant'Andrea della Valle painting a picture of Mary Magdalene based on a woman he has seen outside of the church. This fuels Tosca's jealousy and leads to the tragic events of the opera.

Because Puccini was also an artist, albeit in another medium, Dr. Allen will discuss the relationship of the "Artist and his Muse" from a psychoanalytic perspective and how this might help us to understand both the composer and the work.

The talk will be given April 29, 2007 starting at 7 PM at the home of Dr. William Wimmer with selections of the opera chosen to illustrate themes of the talk. A light supper will be provided. Space is limited,
reservations are necessary and they will be on a first come first serve basis, cost is $50 per person.

To make reservations call the Friends of Chamber Music, sponsors of the artist side of the program, at 410.321.0553.

Posted by admin at January 16, 2007 01:45 PM