To the Editor:

Dorothea’s House once again demonstrated on Sunday, May 3, why it’s such a bright star in Princeton’s cultural firmament. In its unique role of furthering the understanding and appreciation of the history and culture of Italy, it hosted a packed house for a discussion of Giuseppe Verdi’s operatic adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth by Joseph Colaneri, the music director of the Glimmerglass Festival, held annually near Cooperstown, N.Y. The production is slated for the 2015 summer season.

Often using Italian words and phrases punctuated by Italian verve, Colaneri said that Verdi’s operas represented the very soul of Italy. While Macbeth depicted Scottish exiles, Italians believe Verdi was really characterizing Italy’s history. Colaneri noted that although Verdi was not religious, he was spiritual, and tinta (color) was very important to him. In Macbeth, Verdi insisted on very dark colors (mood). Colaneri said that the Yale University professor and foremost expert on Shakespeare, Harold Bloom, has written that there are two human icons: William Shakespeare and Giuseppe Verdi because both express the essence of who we are as individuals.

Two talented soloists, Hunter Enoch and Mitra Mastropierto, understudies at Gliimmerglass, sang arias and a duet from Macbeth, bringing the audience to its feet in enthusiastic appreciation.

Linda Sipprelle

Nassau Street