July 27, 2026

In the world of opera, Debussy is known for his Pelléas et Mélisande, an iconic work of early 20th Century French opera, but buried in his past is a wonderful little gem of a work written while he was still a student, basically before he was “Debussy,” called L’enfant Prodigue. Honestly it feels more like a cantata than an opera, but it is full of gorgeous music and moments of longing, tenderness, and forgiveness in a proto-Debussian musical style.
 
At the other end of the spectrum of French opera is Poulenc’s Le Mamelles de Tiresias, a work from 1947 based on text of Apollinaire. There is really nothing else quite like this work in the world of opera It is a wild, crazy, surreal story with some social significance of its day and a spectacular and brilliant score. Had Mozart been a Frenchman living in the 20th Century, he would have written this work. It is deeply inspired music.
 
The MSFO did our annual collaboration with Chautauqua’s Opera Conservatory for a staged production on Monday and presented both of these works as a double bill.  Emma Griffin provided a dynamic staging for both works. The cast and orchestra rose to the occasion, creating a wonderful and unforgettable evening of great opera. The thunderstorm and downpour half way through added a memorable touch.
 
NEXT UP
 
August 10, 2026
 
Chautauqua Institution
Music School Festival Orchestra
Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater
 
8:00 p.m.
 
FALLA              Suite No. 2 from the Three Cornered Hat (conducted by Michelle Bushkova)
RACHMANINOFF         Symphony No. 2
 
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