Famous Divas and their Enemies with Patrick Bade
December 12 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm EST
Diva versus Diva – who’s the Best?
Audiences have always relished diva rivalries whether in the theatre, opera house, or the cinema. This series of lectures will explore some of these famous rivalries beginning with a talk about how opera composers have exploited the blood lust of audiences by pitting sopranos and mezzos against one another in operas such as Norma, Maria Stuarda, Aida, La Gioconda, and Adriana Lecouvreur.
Then Patrick will look at other pairs of rivals including famous actresses Sarah Bernhardt and Eleonora Duse, La Belle Otero and Liane de Pougy, Nellie Melba and every other soprano of her time and Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli.
In the series:
Dec. 12: Operatic rivals. Bellini Norma, Donizetti Maria Stuarda, Verdi Aida, Ponchielli La Gioconda, Cilea Adriana Lecouvreur *Changed from Dec. 5
Dec. 19: Sarah Bernhardt and Eleonora Duse. Who was the greatest actress?
Jan. 2: Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli. Who was the best Designer?
TBA: Nellie Melba and her enemies. Peach Melba was created in her honour – but she was no peach!
