LOS ANGLES, CA, September 12, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- In honor of Verdi's 200th birthday, LA Opera will present the crowning glory of the composer's magnificent career, his comic masterpiece Falstaff. James Conlon, praised for his mastery of Verdi, conducts an unabashed celebration of Merrie Olde England's lusty days and bawdy nights at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. When Shakespeare's portly knight of Windsor hatches a plot to improve his love life by courting two different married women, he launches a flood of comic chaos and romantic misadventure. The libretto is by Arrigo Boito, based on William Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor. The world premiere was in 1893 at Teatro alla Scala, Milan. This opera will be performed in Italian with English supertitles at the Dorothy Chandler.

At Crowell Library, on Sunday, October 20th, an LA Opera Community Educator ED LIEB will present the background and important facts as well as the great moments about this classic opera. There will be a slide presentation with music, and a very funny DVD. Falstaff was Verdi's last opera, following a life of amazing output.

Opera is not just magnificent music, dance and theater with astounding sets on a beautiful stage; opera can sweep you away to foreign lands, take you back in time, dazzle you with pageantry and bring history to life. It is literature, social studies, cultural diversity, multiple languages and most of all, it is exciting! Come explore the world of opera which has something for everyone.

This introduction to opera is absolutely free. Mark this date on the social calendar as Crowell Library welcomes LA Opera's 2013/2014 season on a high note. Light refreshments will be served.

The 21st century Crowell Public Library provides: a gathering place, an information center, a technology hub, and a book and media collection to serve the educational, cultural, and recreational interests of people of all ages.