The University of Manchester is to welcome renowned international theatre director Peter Sellars to the Martin Harris Centre next month to deliver a lecture titled ‘How to End a War: The Living and the Dead Working Together in Baroque Opera’.
Taking place on Tuesday 4th February, the lecture will form part of The British Academy’s Aspects of Art Lecture Series, which has been showcasing the outstanding scholarship in humanities and social sciences in the UK and beyond for over a century.
The latest academic to deliver one of these inspiring lectures, Peter will use his talk to delve into the compelling world of Baroque opera, exploring its historical significance in promoting equality and reconciliation.
Peter has garnered international recognition for his advocacy of 20th century and contemporary music, groundbreaking and transformative interpretations of classics and collaborative projects. He is a distinguished professor currently teaching in the Department of World Arts and Cultures at UCLA. He is also the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the MacArthur Fellowship and the Erasmus Prize for contributions to European culture.
In the lecture, Peter will discuss opera and its historical ability to soften hard hearts. He will delve into five generations of European artists who were able to nurture the seeds of democratic possibility and feed the imaginary of civil societies across the continent. The lecture will also reference specific operas from the 18th century as a means to address working projects proposed by contemporary artists that span many cultures, histories, and futures.
Following the lecture, Peter will be joined by distinguished academic, critic and curator, Professor Maria Delgado who will engage him in a discussion about his illustrious career and current interests. Professor Delgado is the Vice Principal at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London. Her extensive work across Spanish-language theatre, film and cultural memory has garnered her numerous accolades, including the ATHE Lifetime Achievement Award in Academic Theatre and the Cross of the Order of Alfonso X the Wise for her services to culture and education.
Peter’s visit to Manchester follows the launch of a major new partnership between the English National Opera (ENO) and Greater Manchester. The organisation’s exciting relocation project will see the development of longer-term strategic partnerships with venues and organisations across Greater Manchester, all working to create operatic experiences for communities and raise the curtain to the opera-makers of tomorrow.
Professor Maggie Gale, Vice-Dean for Research at the University of Manchester’s Faculty of Humanities, said: “Manchester has long been at the forefront of anti-war causes, often being the first to raise its voice in the name of peace. This, coupled with the recent relocation of the ENO makes Manchester the perfect stage for Peter to deliver his first lecture as part of the Aspects of Art series.
“Peter is a revered director in the world of opera and I’m incredibly excited to welcome him to the Martin Harris Centre next month. The arts have always been a compass by which love and freedom can be situated in a world torn apart by injustice and Peter’s lecture is the perfect reminder of this.
“I urge anyone who is interested in opera, the arts and their collective role in nurturing peace against a harsh backdrop of conflict to come join us and be inspired.”
Reserve your spot via this link.
