In Brief: October 26

Former Russian official to speak at BGSU today

Economist and former high-ranking Russian official Andrei Illarionov will speak at the University tonight (Oct. 26). His presentation, “What the Kremlin Wants,” will provide insight into Russian political, economic and foreign policy objectives under President Vladimir Putin.

Illarionov is a former chief economic adviser to Putin and served as Russia’s representative to the G8 Summit from 2000 through 2005. He is currently a senior fellow at the Cato Institute’s Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity.

BGSU’s Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law Club is hosting Illarionov in conjunction with the PPEL academic program.

The event, which is open to the public, will be held from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in 111 Olscamp Hall.
 

BGSU Opera Theater to perform double bill

“How to Reform a Drunk” and “The Four Note Opera” open Bowling Green Opera Theater’s 2017-18 season on Nov. 3 and Nov. 5. Directed by Dr. Geoffrey Stephenson, Department of Theatre and Film, the two short operas bring humor and wit to the Kobacker Hall stage in Moore Musical Arts Center.

Christoph Willibald von Gluck’s “How to Reform a Drunk” is a comic tale of love, family ties and intoxication and how a clever plot wins the day.

With English singing translation by Ellen Scholl, the story takes us to “hell” and back.

“The Four Note Opera,” Tom Johnson’s most performed opera, composed in 1972, does not contain any semblance of plot. Rather, in this production, over-the-top operatic “archetypes” are juxtaposed with the simplicity of the compositional structure of this work: every aria, duet, trio, or ensemble does consist of merely four notes.

Performances are at 8 p.m. Nov. 3 and 3 p.m. Nov. 5. Advance tickets are $5 for students and $15 for adults; all tickets are $20 on the day of the performance. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 372-8171.