OPERA TALK is a series of free presentations on Opera with music educator Lou Barrella offered on Sundays in the Spring and Fall at Fairleigh Dickinson University and community libraries.
Opera at Florham offers classes on the "Joy of Opera" with Lou Barrella as part of the Florham Institute for Lifelong Learning (FILL) adult ed program each Spring and Fall semester .

The Brindisi - A Celebration of Operatic Drinking
Sunday November 12, 2023
3:00pm - 4:30pm
Hartman Lounge, The Mansion, Fairleigh Dickinson University
The Brindisi (Italian for “a toast”) is a song in which people are enthusiastically invited to drink and has been included in many Operas. This presentation will survey many of these wonderful Arias and will feature scenes highlighting the drinking of alcoholic beverages or its effects. The creative genius of composers reveals the masterful way in which they portray the lyrical and often dramatic effect of their characters’ inebriation. You’re all invited to prepare for the upcoming holidays with some “Operatic Drinking!”
Thank you to all who attended this free lecture. Stay tuned for future Opera Talks.

Lou Barrella
Opera Educator
Lou Barrella has been a dedicated Music Educator for over 50 years, specializing in Music and Opera Appreciation in schools and cultural organizations. He has given workshops and organized student trips for the Metropolitan Opera Education Department for 40 years. He has been a Guest Lecturer at Colleges, Museums and Cultural Institutions throughout the Metropolitan area, making over 750 presentations since 1993.
He is a Board Member of the Enrico Caruso Museum, a regular presenter at the Mario Lanza luncheons, a co-host at the Columbus Citizens’ Foundation Opera Nights; organizes opera luncheons and dinners at Casa Belvedere in Staten Island, conducts an opera class at the Garibaldi Meucci Museum in Staten Island and lectures with Opera at Florham's outreach program.