Shakespeare’s plays have been the jumping-off point for filmmakers, novelists, songwriters, composers, artists, and choreographers.  Explore how five of his works have been transformed into other art forms for the theater.  We’ll consider the changes made in creating operas and ballets based on some of his best-known plays.  After an introduction, each week will focus on a single work, and a large part of each class will be watching segments of stellar performances of the operas and ballets on DVDs.  We’ll be looking at Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, with Balanchine’s choreography; Verdi’s Otello, Macbeth, and Falstaff and Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, with MacMillan’s choreography.  No prior knowledge of music, opera, or ballet required.  Summaries of the plays and of the operas and ballets will be provided. This is not primarily a discussion course, but there should be time for some discussion.

Preparation time will be minimal (half an hour or less) to read the provided summaries of the week’s works.