Born in Lucca, Italy and steeped in operatic tradition, Giacomo Puccini created operas that showcased a brilliance that made him a worthy successor to Verdi. In his talk, Professor Gil Harel will analyze the celebrated opera Madama Butterfly (1904), one of Puccini’s most famous works. The Italian opera tells the story of B.F. Pinkerton (American) who marries Cio-Cio-san (Japanese). The result is a sublime score filled with worldly influences, pentatonic music, and rich melodies that frame a heartbreaking story of love, betrayal, and hope smashed asunder. Gil Harel (PhD, Brandeis University) is an award-winning musicologist and composer whose interests include styles ranging from western art music to contemporary musical theater.
Award winning author Janika Oza will speak at New Canaan Library in celebration of the release of the paperback edition of A History of Burning. This compelling narrative spans a century of time, four generations of family, five continents and multiple languages, illuminating the themes of family, survival, inheritance, immigration, and colonialism, while centering on one individual’s desperate, destructive act that haunts his family for generations. Along with a discussion and audience Q&A, Janika will be signing copies of A History of Burning. Elm Street Books will be on site selling books. Janika Oza is the author of the novel A History of Burning, winner of the 2024 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, a finalist for the 2023 Governor General’s Award for Fiction, a finalist for the 2024 Carol Shield’s Prize, and a New York Times Editor’s Choice.
The thrill of Broadway Cabaret comes to New Canaan Library when students of CT State College, Naugatuck Valley, delight the audience with songs and scenes from beloved musicals. Under the direction of Professor Gil Harel, this theater troupe has performed in venues across New England. Their dynamic acts have been a hit with audiences of all musical interests and listening preferences. This set will include songs from shows such as Rent, Dear Evan Hansen, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, as well as close-harmony original arrangements of songs from the canon. Gil Harel (PhD, Brandeis University) is an award-winning musicologist and composer whose interests include styles ranging from western art music to contemporary musical theater.
Friday afternoon films! New Canaan Library presents a free screening of the science fiction blockbuster Dune, Part 1. A 6-time Oscar winner for cinematography, editing, score, visual effects, production design and sound, Dune, Part 1 revolves around the character Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence, only those who can conquer their own fear will survive. Runtime 155 minutes.
The New Canaanite 2024 Summer Internship Program is sponsored by Karp Associates. Beyond the pristine sliding glass doors, boundless shelves of books and sunlit cafe, the New Canaan Library offers more: community creativity.
This spring, the library hosted a seven-week drawing workshop for adults called “Art of Drawing.” The workshop was led by retired New Canaan High School art teacher Jeanne McDonagh, an educator here for 32 years. Held on the third floor of the library in the Tate Room, participants received a comprehensive foundation in drawing catered to both beginners and those who wished to enhance their drawing skills further. They learned the vocabulary of drawing and how to work with composition, proportion, perspective, line, gesture, value, and texture.
Students also learned how to use and explore these concepts to create original works of art. “I would base each week on a skill that would build to the next skill,” McDonagh said.
