How does a painting sound? Explore the expressive implications of line, shape, color, texture, and mood, as Oliver Prezant and improvising musicians create original music based on the paintings and your impressions of the artwork.

“For over an hour the audience seated in the gallery looked at and talked about one large Vernon painting and its elements and the relations between them. Prezant led this discussion, at strategic intervals conducting 3 classically trained musicians who musically illustrated their interpretations of those elements and relations. Think of Prezant as a gifted inducer of synesthesia. By the end of this literally dazzling ‘concert’/discussion, all of us were experiencing that painting very differently.”
- Lin Medlin, participant

Everything you always wanted to know about opera, and then some! Aficionados, opera newbies, it’s all good. In these interactive, informative presentations we’ll explore plot and character; music, libretto, and context; sets, costumes, lighting, and the director’s concept. Previews, conversations afterwards. Engaging, interactive, experiential learning.

“… leads the listener by the hand into a world of beauty.”
- The Santa Fe New Mexican

“The lecture alone was worth the price of admission!”
- Santa Fe Opera patrons

“If you go to the Santa Fe Opera, there are entertaining, informative, not-to-be-missed free talks by Oliver Prezant.”
- Psychology Today Travel Blog

Every piece has its own logic and design, its own world of mood and expression. Gain insight into the music, the composers, the context, the style and the substance of the music. Hear more, enjoy more, and enrich your experience in the concert hall!

“ . . . understands music from the perspective of the performer, the performance, the historian, and the innovator, and is able to express that understanding to his audience in a way that is both informative and a lot of fun at the same time.”
- Alicia Ultan, former Director of Education, Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival

“Oliver Prezant led the Roswell audience through the Marriage of Figaro, presented by the Roswell Symphony Orchestra, with such knowledge, charm and humor! The excellence of the musicians, the opera singers, AND Mr. Prezant made for one of the most memorable cultural events in Southeast New Mexico!"
- Nancy J. Fleming, Director, Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art, Roswell, NM

An in-depth look at two Mozart arias, as we explore the exquisite poetry of the text and Mozart’s exquisite ability to flesh out the meaning and the emotion of the words with nuanced melodic gestures, courtly rhythms, subtly searching harmonies, and an effortless sense of how everything flows together.

“ … an almost magical exposition of what is happening in a musical performance piece and why. It showed me, and taught me in tangible ways, how to not take music performances at face value and rather than just ‘enjoy’ it, to instead experience and participate in it more completely.”
- Stewart O., participant

A closer look at how one person with a little wooden stick can inspire a hundred people to make music together with precision, expression, and intensity. What does it feel like to conduct, and to follow a conductor? How do conductors learn their craft? During the presentation we’ll explore the elements of conducting in a way that is accessible and informative. We’ll look at how some of the great conductors of the past approached, and defined the art of conducting, and how the role of the conductor has changed over the years.

“Since your lecture I have been listening to operas and orchestras with more understanding and interest. I am able to talk operas and librettos with my cousin who sings opera and knows of the different conducting styles. Still inspired by your presentation.”
- Jan L., participant

There’s music in language. Vowels sing, consonants lull and pop, phrases have rhythm and shape. Words make pictures and inspire associations and images, and music paints it all in vivid color. Join Oliver Prezant, featured poets, and improvising musicians as we explore the music of poetry.

“I felt so energized and alive with this experience! I felt like I understood the poems and music so much better in this group than I ever could have on my own. I loved the creativity, playfulness and interactive participation that went into exploring this gift of poetry and music.”
- Mary M., participant

Get inside the music of J.S. Bach with Oliver Prezant and Friends. We’ll take the time to experience the elements of the music and you’ll have a chance to share your thoughts and impressions as we work towards hearing the music in its entirety.

“I loved the way you kept the audience engaged with multiple ways of exploring the Bach piece - listening, singing the notes, talking about how the passage made us feel.
- Kathy H., participant

“... well-paced, participatory, and gave me background knowledge I did not have to more fully appreciate and enjoy the piece when Roberto played it as a whole.”
- Ginny W., participant

Header: Discovering the Music of Poetry at Strata Gallery, artwork by Cassandra Black, photo by Oliver Prezant. Discovering the Music of Paintings, still from video by Jonathan Lowe, featuring artwork by Mary Vernon: Wall With Mirror, 2022. Looking at Santa Fe Opera 2019 Season Poster, photo by Ruthanne Greeley. Talk at Kohl Mansion, photo courtesy Music at Kohl Mansion. Soprano Amy Owens and Oliver Prezant, photo by Jennie Baccante. Oliver Prezant, conducting, still from video by Jonathan Lowe, Video Magic. Discovering the Music of Poetry, artwork by Cassandra Black, still from video by Oliver Prezant. Guitarist Roberto Capocchi, photo by InSightFoto. Footer: Prelude Talk at The Santa Fe Opera, photo by Ruthanne Greeley.