Opera was created in Italy during the 1590s, and since that time, artists and audiences have utilized the art form to explore diverse sounds, stories, emotions, and cultures. And yet, most people don’t know where to start learning about this “ultimate artform." Therefore, join Joshua Borths, JMU’s newly appointed Director of Opera Theatre, for an engaging series that will introduce you to the story of opera. From composers to singers, cultural history to music technology, each session will focus on a different century in opera history, exploring the important people and masterworks. Additionally, special attention will be given to how operatic styles, composers, and artists influenced one another right up to the present day. This special survey will contextualize what you experience at the opera house and allow you to better understand these classic stories we sing.



Joshua Borths is the newly appointed Director of Opera Theatre at James Madison University (JMU). As an opera professional, Borths has served as a stage director, educator, arts administrator, and writer across the country. For the past three season, Borths served as the Resident Scholar at Virginia Opera, and in summer 2024, he is entering his eighth summer as a Company Dramaturg and member of the stage directing staff at Des Moines Metro Opera. Recent directing credits include an “uproariously funny new production” (Arizona Daily Star) of 'The Barber of Seville' at Arizona Opera and a “beautiful, even poetic” (Opera Today) new production of 'The Falling and the Rising.' As educator, Borths has served on the faculty of Capital University (Director of Opera & Musical Theatre, Professor of Music History) and has taught at SUNY Potsdam-Crane School of Music, The University of Richmond, Shenandoah University, and University of Maryland. He has given over five hundred opera presentations, and his work has been featured in Opera News, TED Ed, Virginia Public Media. His children’s operas can be licensed on OperaClassroom.com.