Dr. Naomi André on "Surviving Opera:
Verdi’s Azucena from Il Trovatore

In this podcast discussing Il Trovatore, Dr. Naomi André explores - through letters between Giuseppe Verdi and librettist Salvadore Cammarano - the qualities of Azucena that make her one of the most complex characters in Verdi’s operas. Dr. André is a professor in the Department of Afroamerican and African Studies, Women’s studies, and the Residential College at the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on opera and issues surrounding gender, voice, and race in the US, Europe, and South Africa. This discussion was recorded on Saturday, September 19, 2020 as a part of LA Opera Connects’ professional development series for teachers: Opera for Educators.