All About Opera: A Lunchtime Lecture Series (Part 1)

Brighten up your lunch hour with our engaging lecture, "All About Opera." Discover the drama, passion, and artistry behind this magnificent art form as Dr. David Schildkret takes you on a journey through opera’s most iconic moments and composers. Join us for a bite-sized exploration of opera’s grandeur and satisfy your cultural cravings during your lunch break!

Standard Tickets are $25
Valley Friends Member Tickets are $20

Meet the Presenter

David Schildkret retired from Arizona State University in May 2023 after serving for more than 20 years on the faculty of the School of Music, Dance & Theatre. For most of that time, he was Director of Choral Activities, leading many choirs and teaching courses in conducting and choral music. He also taught general music courses and Barrett Honors College seminars. In the community, he has been a lecturer on topics of music appreciation for Arizona Speaks and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Educated at Rutgers University and Indiana University, Schildkret served on the faculties of the University of Rochester (NY) and Centre College (KY) and as dean of the School of Music at Salem College (NC) before coming to Arizona in 2002. He has been the music director of the Mount Desert Summer Chorale in Maine since 1999, conducting his first concerts in 2000.  He served as Music Director at Scottsdale United Methodist Church from 2003 - 2014 and from 2017 - 2019. Since September 2019, he has been Director of Music Ministries at Dayspring United Methodist Church. He lives in Chandler with his wife, Susan Griffin, a nationally recognized dance educator. Their daughter Miriam is a singer and a a frequent speaker on opera for Arizona Opera and other organizations, and their older daughter, Elizabeth, is Director of School & Family Programs at Portland Ovations, an arts presenting organization in Maine.

For more about David Schildkret, please visit his website.