For the first time in its nearly 60-year history, the Hillman Opera will offer pre-performance talks. Attendees are invited to meet with key members of the production team for this year’s double bill of “Dido and Aeneas” and “The Medium” beginning 45 minutes before each performance.

The Hillman performances will be presented from Oct. 21 to 23 in Marvel Theatre at the State University of New York at Fredonia. Curtain times are 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21; 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22 and 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 23.

The corresponding talks will be offered at 7:15 p.m. on Oct. 21, 6:45 p.m. on Oct. 22 and 3:15 p.m. on Oct. 23.

The pre-opera talks will be held in the new Costello Community Room (P-84) of Rockefeller Arts Center. The Costello Room is located immediately inside the main entrance of the new wing and has easy access to Marvel Theatre. Students will be available to assist visitors in finding the Costello Room as well as assisting them to the Marvel Theatre lobby.

Hillman Opera Producer Julie Newell, along with Music Director Dr. David Rudge and Stage Director Terry Beck, will lead each 30-minute pre-opera talk.

Topics such as the Baroque style of “Dido and Aeneas” as well as the highly dramatic elements of the 20th century opera “The Medium” will be discussed. These talks also offer an opportunity for those attending the performances to ask questions.

While the talks begin 45 minutes before each performance, attendees may enter at any time. The talks will conclude 15 minutes before curtain time.

The Hillman Opera presentation of “Dido and Aeneas” and “The Medium” is sponsored by Gugino and Ryel Financial as part of the Lake Shore Savings Season.

Tickets for the Hillman Opera presentation of “Dido and Aeneas” and “The Medium” are available at the Campus Ticket Office in the Williams Center, by phone at 673-3501 and online at fredonia.edu/tickets.