521. Charlotte Bentley, Part 1.

521. Part 1 of our conversation with Charlotte Bentley about New Orleans French-language opera." New Orleans and the Creation of Transatlantic Opera, 1819–1859 explores the thriving operatic life of New Orleans in the first half of the nineteenth century, drawing out the transatlantic connections that animated it..... This book pieces together what it took to bring opera to New Orleans and the ways in which the city’s operatic life shaped contemporary perceptions of global interconnection. The early chapters explore the process of bringing opera to the stage, taking a detailed look at the management of New Orleans’s Francophone theater, the Théâtre d’Orléans, as well as the performers who came to the city and the reception they received. But opera’s significance was not confined to the theater, and later chapters of the book examine how opera permeated everyday life in New Orleans, through popular sheet music, novels, magazines and visual culture, and dancing in its many ballrooms. Just as New Orleans helped to create transatlantic opera, opera in turn helped to create the city of New Orleans."

1. This week in Louisiana history. May 5, 1713 Antoine Cadillac was appointed French Gov. of Louisiana.
2. This week in New Orleans history. The North Claiborne streetcar line began running on May 13, 1868. It was a downtown (i.e., downriver) line. From 1917 to 1925, it was operated as a single line with the Jackson Line. Its last run was on December 27, 1934.
3. This week in Louisiana.
   The Essence Festival
   Caesars Superdome
   New Orleans, LA
   Tickets Website
   Thu, Jun 29, 2023 - Mon, Jul 3, 2023
   The Essence Festival, known as "the party with a purpose", is an annual music festival which started in 1995 as a one-time event to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Essence, a magazine aimed primarily towards African-American women. It became the largest African-American culture and music event in the United States. The festival features artists simultaneously performing on a main stage as well as four standing-room only superlounge stages.
   
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Congo Square drums Easter April 9, 2023.

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