Shepherd School presents

Shepherd School presents ‘La Calisto’

The Shepherd School Opera and the Shepherd School Chamber Orchestra will present three performances of Francesco Cavalli’s “La Calisto” as part of the Leon Wilson Clark Opera Series.

As one of the most influential opera composers of the mid-17th century, Cavalli was a master of composing for the emerging genre of “public opera.” He wrote “La Calista” at a time when opera was moving from a diversion for kings to popular entertainment. The fast-paced satire is replete with risqué scenes, cross-dressing and a mixture of comic and serious characters and set the amorous escapades to unusually sensual music.

“La Calisto” tells the story of the Don Juan-like king of the gods, Giove, who disguises himself as the goddess Diana and comes to Earth to seduce the nymph Calisto. However, the real Diana is in love with a shepherd named Endimione, but has sworn herself to chastity and is only able to indulge in a frustratingly platonic relationship with the young man.

Composed in 1651 and performed in Venice, “La Calisto” is based on Ovid’s “Metamorphoses,” and the Giovanni Faustini is credited with authoring the work’s text. “La Calista” is one of the more than 30 operas Cavalli wrote.

Richard Bado, professor of opera and director of the opera program, will conduct the orchestra. Debra Dickinson, artist teacher of opera studies, will serve as director.

The performances will be at 7:30 p.m. in Wortham Opera Theatre, Alice Pratt Brown Hall, March 29 and 30 and
April 2.

General admission is $10 and $8 for students and senior citizens. For tickets, call 713-348-8000.