Utah Opera kicks off its calendar of "Flying Dutchman" events with an Ogden Opera Guild symposium today at 6 p.m. at Ogden's Eccles Art Center.
Featured will be excerpts from and discussion of the Wagner opera, followed by a light buffet. The symposium is free, as is the buffet to Ogden Opera Guild members ($5 for non-members); for reservations call 771-9460.University of Utah professor emeritus Ardean Watts will then present a free Opera Preview Lecture on Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 7:30 p.m. at Westminster College's Jewett Center for the Performing Arts. Its title: "The Flying Dutchman, or How Senta's Suicide Redeemed Vanderdecken From Satan's Curse."
This will be followed by a Utah Opera Guild Luncheon Friday, Jan. 10, at noon at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building at which guest artists will sing excerpts. Admission is $18; call 944-8270 for reservations.
Then on Thursday, Jan. 16, at 12:15 p.m. an Opera Bites Symposium will be presented at the Capitol Theatre, featuring the stage director, conductor and costume and lighting designers. Admission is free, with a box lunch available for $6 (call 323-6868) or bring your own.
"The Flying Dutchman" will be presented at the Capitol Theatre Jan. 18, 20, 22 and 24 at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. There will also be a free pre-opera lecture presented an hour before curtain time - i.e., at 6:30 and 1 p.m.
For tickets, priced from $12 to $55, call 355-ARTS.