Three men vie for the hand of the beautiful, young Elvira: Ernani, the outlawed nobleman reduced to banditry; Don Ruy Gomez de Silva, Elvira’s guardian and unwelcome prospective husband; Don Carlo, the King of Spain and future Holy Roman Emperor. It is a wild gem of a romantic opera, graced with more melody in its few hours than most composers managed in a lifetime. Cast: Leona Mitchell, Luciano Pavarotti, Sherrill Milnes, Ruggero Raimondi.'

Our presenter, Erika Reitshamer, is returning to Lincoln Library with a 3-week opera course on early Verdi operas. She is a lifelong student and lover of opera who thoroughly enjoys passing on her passion to others. She was active in the formation of the Boston Lyric Opera Company more than 40 years ago, led opera tours to Europe and served as Vice President of the Boston Wagner Society for many years. She taught opera appreciation for Lifelong Learning at Regis College for 9 years and lectures at libraries, town halls and retirement communities. Her last offering for Lincoln Library was Verdi’s Nabucco on November 5, 2023.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Lincoln Public Library.