Classical Cliffs Notes

Apr. 21—Do you ever find yourself wanting more information than what subtitles on the screen can reveal? Then join conductor and arts educator Oliver Prezant, who will regale attendees to his "Operalive!" lectures with the story behind the productions presented by the Santa Fe Opera for the upcoming season.

This week, Prezant will explore the rich sonic tapestries of Claude Debussy and the symbolist writings of Maurice Maeterlinck as they relate to Pelléas et Mélisande, which appears at the Santa Fe Opera July 15 through Aug. 18. The production, which debuted in 1902, is the only opera Debussy completed and centers around a love triangle "of royal proportions." Maeterlinck, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1911, completed the play of the same name in 1893. Pelléas et Mélisande was last presented by the Santa Fe Opera in 1977, and the latest production will be both designed and directed by Netia Jones.

—Pelléas et Mélisande: 6 p.m. Friday, April 21, Collected Works; 2 p.m. Sunday, April 23, Chatter

—Rusalka: 6 p.m., May 5, Collected Works; 2 p.m., May 7, Chatter

—Orfeo: 6 p.m., May 12, Collected Works; 2 p.m., May 14, Chatter

—Free, santafeopera.org. Collected Works Bookstore and Coffeehouse: 202 Galisteo St., 505-946-2423, collectedworksbookstore.com. Chatter: 912 Third St. NW, Albuquerque, chatterabq.org