(In Person Only) Love and Adultery La Bohème (Act II)

A lecture on love, desire, and the psychology of our modern mind within Puccini's opera La Bohème. Beginners welcome!

Lecture Topic: Love and Adultery in La Bohème (Act II)

Act II builds on the suspense and burgeoning relationship between Rodolfo and Mimi, newfound neighbors and bohemian lovers in the Latin quarter of Paris. Their spark of divine love is juxtaposed with the contrasting passion and suffering of Marcello and Musetta, the latter whose adulterous liaison serves as the locus of lustful competition, jealousy, and spite. Such destructive tendencies are representative of our collective humanity's consequent obsession with carnal desire and adultery, symbolized in Revelations as the scarlet whore who entices the multitudes with false prophecy and blind promises that lead to intense affliction. See how spiritual initiates like Puccini warned against following blind passion and the ways to recognize salvation within oneself: the path of chastity or sexual purity within the perfect matrimony.

Light refreshments and snacks will be served before and during the viewing of Act II. Afterward we will have a short break and reconvene for the lecture.

Listen to the previous lectures in this course (see specifically the "Introduction to the Secret Teachings of Opera" as well as the previous lectures on La Bohème):

The Secret Teachings of Opera

Location and Directions

828 Davis St, Suite 5 (Lower Level)
Evanston, IL 60201

There is paid parking across the street in the Sherman Plaza Parking Garage with cheap hourly rates ($6 for 3 to 5 hours).

The 201 and 213 Buses stop across the street at Davis St. and Benson Ave. You can also take the 93, 201, 208, 213, or 250 Bus to Davis and Maple, walking a block East on Davis until reaching our location across from Benson Ave.

The Davis Purple Line stop is half a block away. When arriving, go South on Benson Ave straight ahead to our location on Davis St.

There is also the Davis St. / Evanston Metra Station, whereby you can walk South on Maple and East on Davis.

When you arrive, enter through the front. Go down to the lower level via the stairs to the left or the elevator to the right. We are located in Suite 5.

Please RSVP if you plan to attend. We look forward to seeing you!