Through music, letters, diaries, and pictures, Dr. April Lynn James retells the development of opera from 17th century Italian courts to the public opera houses of 19th century Paris, centering on the re-discovery of little-known scores by women composers, including Francesca Caccini, Antonia Bembo, Louise Bertin, Gabrielle Ferrari, and Maria Antonia, Electress of Saxony. Hailed by the New York Times as a “flash of beauty and inspiration,” Dr. April Lynn James is an award-winning scholar and mezzo-soprano with a PhD in Music from Harvard University. This lecture has been inspired by her 2003 exhibit for the Havard Loeb Music Library exhibition, "In Her Own Hand." Presented in collaboration with Diamond Opera Theater. This program is part of the Speakers in the Humanities Project through the NY Council for the Humanities.