Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643) is often called the first great opera composer, and the opera Il ritorno d’Ulisse (The Return of Ulysses) was one of Monteverdi’s late masterpieces. Unfortunately it’s not often performed, so The Yale Baroque Opera Project’s production in early May 2012 marks its New Haven premiere. The semester-long preparations have brought together talented undergraduate and graduate students, and faculty from Yale’s Music and Theatre departments as part of a larger project to promote the study and performance of Baroque opera. Three Yale professors who are working on YBOP, Ellen Rosand, Toni Dorfman and Grant Herreid, had a lively and informative discussion with Suzanne about this thrilling production and their ongoing baroque opera collaboration.
