Opera is Lit

Marco Polo confessed on his deathbed, “I have not told half of what I saw.” We all recognize the name Marco Polo, the great explorer and title given to a favorite childhood summertime pool game! Most of what we know of him, and his 24 year-long journey in Asia, is found in his 1299 autobiography The Travels of Marco Polo. His book opened a door for cross-cultural dialogue of ideas, values, and artistic expression that spanned from Western Europe to the Far East.

From the canals of Venice to the courts of the Great Khan—experience a literary and musical odyssey across Asia! Join musicologist Camellia Adams and the talented singers and musicians of Opera Grand Rapids as they retrace Marco Polo’s footsteps. Enjoy an evening exploring stories and melodies that illustrate the exchange of artistic ideas starting with the moment Marco Polo’s book first ignited a mutual fascination between East and West.