arts & entertainment

VBMA welcomes Vero Beach Opera’s Master of Ceremonies, Ian Campbell, on Sunday, May 17, for a discussion of the Girl of the Golden West. The opera—the first to have its world premiere at the Metropolitan Opera—confused audiences and critics in 1910. It had a different shape from Butterfly and Tosca, seemed to lack arias, and Puccini was trying to create a new musical style for the 20th century.

“Is it the first spaghetti western, an American opera, an Italian opera set in America, or a story of love, hope, and moral redemption?” posits Ian Campbell. “I look forward to exploring these themes and the impact of the Girl on May 17th.”

The 2:30 p.m. discussion, which will examine the opera’s libretto and historical background—California gold miners of 1849 coming to America from all corners of the world seeking their fortunes—will be held in the Museum’s Leonhardt Auditorium.

Tickets are $20 per show for VBMA and Vero Beach Opera Members and $25 for non-members and include entrance to the Museum. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to visit the galleries.

Register online at vbmuseum.org.