Carmen: The Seduction of the Century to be Gail Lavielle’s Topic at Wilton Kiwanis’ September 18 Luncheon

Departing from her usual discussion of state budgets, former
music critic and author Gail Lavielle will speak on Carmen, the Seduction of the Century to Wilton’s Kiwanis Club at
its luncheon September 18.  Better known
as the state representative for Connecticut House District 143, Ms. Lavielle published
a book on Bizet’s Carmen, one of opera’s best-known works, in 1999.

In the mid-1980’s, Ms. Lavielle began writing articles on
opera for the Wall Street Journal and
a few magazines.  At the time, she noted that
new versions of Carmen were everywhere – on Broadway, in the movies, and at the
ballet – supplementing the traditional performances at all the major opera
houses.  She felt the story of the fiery
cigarette factory worker had attained a kind of universality in the 100 years
since it was first performed in 1875 and decided to write a book on why that
had happened. 

Her book was completed in 1985 and published in 1999: a
delay that’s part of the story she will cover in her talk to Kiwanis.  The book deals up front with the question of
what has made the Carmen story so popular over the years and also tells the
stories of several of the artists who have been involved with the character
over the years.

Wilton Kiwanis, a service club, meets for lunch every Wednesday
noon at the Wilton Episcopal Presbyterian Church complex on New Canaan
Road.  Meetings are open to all. Further
information is available at 203-762-9951.    
 

Contact:

Paul Hannah, Vice President, Programs

203-762-9951