Maria de Buenos Aires

The New Orleans Opera is opening their 2017–2018 Chamber Series with composer Astor Piazzolla's surreal tango masterpiece Maria de Buenos Aires. Miastro Robert Lyall will conduct an orchestra to play Piazzolla's tango score, while acclaimed performers Catalina Cuervo and Luis Alejandro Orozco deftly perform two of the leading roles. Not only will the full opera be presented, but a selection of Piazzolla's other tango hits will be performed as well, with a "milonga," or tango dance party, directly to follow for the audience. Not to worry: a free tango lesson will be offered an hour prior to the Sept. 10 performance. This special production is produced in collaboration with Casa Argentina New Orleans, a non-profit dedicated to enriching New Orleans with Argentine culture. Performances are September 9 at 7 pm and September 10 at 2:30pm (tango class beginning at 1:30 pm). Tickets begin at $40 at neworleansopera.org/maria-de-buenos-aires.