Psychoanalyzing Puccini

NEWS RELEASE

SAN FRANCISCO OPERA

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Puccini's Manon Lescaut

'Opera on the Brain' provides post-performance opportunity to delve deeper into the love triangle

SAN FRANCISCO - Opera enthusiasts often engage in post-mortems of the performances they've experienced, discussing their personal responses to the characters' actions and emotions.

Only in San Francisco can audience members participate in the very first Opera on the Brain, a free and exciting dialogue with a panel of local psychoanalysts immediately following the December 10 matinee of Manon Lescaut.

Produced by San Francisco Opera and the San Francisco Foundation for Psychoanalysis (SFFP), this post-performance event at Cafe Grillades invites audience members to express their opinions and hear an analysis of Puccini's ravishing score by Dr. Linda Lagemann and Dr. Milton Schaefer.

"Opera is full of passion and pathos," said program chair Dr. Lagemann.

"It's natural to bring psychoanalysis to the discussion," Lagemann said.

San Francisco Opera marketing associate Jennifer Batoon stated, "This event is great for everyone who's told us they wanted a forum to discuss the opera with fellow audience members."

"The SFFP's in-depth analysis will help spark a dynamic discussion, which adds to the excitement of the art form," Batoon said.

San Francisco Opera is collaborating with SFFP to provide this opportunity of extending the operatic experience beyond the War Memorial Opera House.

The story of Manon Lescaut revolves around the tortured journey of a young woman as she learns, too late, the true nature of love.

The opera is overflowing with opportunity to analyze the psychological ramifications of young Manon's choices for herself and her two lovers.

Manon Lescaut will be performed at 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 10 and Opera on the Brain will begin at approximately 5 p.m. at Cafe Grillades (501 Hayes Street in San Francisco).

The cafe will be open for business, serving light dinner fare for those who are interested.

For more information, please visit SFOpera.com and enter offer code SFPIS7, or visit the San Francisco Foundation for Psychoanalysis website.

The San Francisco Opera presents opera performances of the highest international quality to the widest possible audiences.

The San Francisco Foundation for Psychoanalysis works with the San Francisco Psychoanalytic Institute & Society and other charitable organizations to provide mental health services to the people of the San Francisco Bay Area.

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