9:32 a.m., Dec. 14, 2009----Seats are still available for the University of Delaware's Professional and Continuing Studies studytrip to the Saturday, Dec. 19, matinee performance of Les Contes d'Hoffmann (The Tales of Hoffmann) at the internationally-acclaimed Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center in New York City.

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The trip includes motorcoach transportation, UD faculty leadership, and advance study notes on the performance.

Les Contes d'Hoffmann (The Tales of Hoffmann), composed by Jacques Offenbach, is based on three stories by E. T. A. Hoffmann, the 19th century Romantic writer of fantasy and horror. A powerhouse team joins forces on this production. James Levine conducts, and Joseph Calleja sings the tour-de-force title role, opposite Anna Netrebko as the tragic Antonia and Alan Held as the demonic four villains. Tony Award winner Bart Sher, who directs the production, describes it as “a magical journey in which the character works out different manifestations of his psyche.”

“Many people who think opera is not for them have just not experienced it,” says Larry Peterson, opera trip leader since 1980. UD's opera studytrips are suited both to seasoned opera fans as well as new participants wishing to take in a world-class performing arts experience.

“My goal for all participants is that they will enjoy the experience and be able to say that they learned something new,” says Peterson, a retired UD professor of music who taught and developed many opera and music courses at the University.

The bus departs from Clayton Hall, Newark, at 7 a.m., and from the Wilmington campus, 2800 Pennsylvania Ave., at 7:30 a.m., and begins the return trip from New York City at approximately 4:30 p.m. Independent time for dining, visiting museums, or shopping is provided prior to the performance. Participants also may purchase a bus-trip-only option, and spend the day in New York on their own.

For more information, visit the Web site or call (302) 831-3063.