San Francisco Opera has been making a major effort to set up events before and during the June 19-July 7 run of Mark Adamo's The Gospel of Mary Magdalene to discuss the historical-theological background of the subject. Although the events started last month, there are still many to go, including:
- 9:30 a.m., June 2, Grace Cathedral, 1100 California St., Forum on "Mary Magdalene in Text and History" (free)
- 4:30 p.m., June 2, Grace Cathedral, discussion about "The Power Struggle over Mary Magdalene" (free)
- 10 a.m., June 5, 12, 19, and 26, Osher Learning Institute, UC-Berkeley, 1925 Walnut St., Berkeley, "Contemporary Images of Mary Magdalene in Music, Art, Poetry, and Film with Kayleen Asbo" (course fee $95, with OLLI membership)
- 9:30 a.m., June 9, Grace Cathedral, "Mary Magdalene in Arts and Culture," with Adamo and Cooke, and The Very Rev. Dr. Jane Shaw (free)
- 4:30 p.m., June 9, Grace Cathedral, "Becoming Mary Magdalene: The Evolving Tradition of Mary Magdalene in the West" (free)
- 8 p.m., June 10, SF Opera Guild, Villa Marin, 100 Thorndale Drive, San Rafael ($10 to $12)
- 10 a.m., June 11, SF Opera Guild, Saratoga Foothill Club, 20399 Park Place, Saratoga ($10)
- 7:30 p.m., June 11, SF Opera Guild, First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto, 1140 Cowper St. ($8 to $10)
- Noon, June 12, SF Opera Guild, Koret Auditorium, New Main Library, 100 Larkin St. S.F. (free)
- 8 p.m., June 12, SF Opera Guild, St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 451 Moraga Way, Orinda ($10)
- 9:30 a.m., June 15, Grace Cathedral, "Finding the Light Within: Mary Magdalene and the Labyrinth," a day-long workshop with Veriditas Master Teacher Kayleen Asbo ($150)
- 6 p.m., June 17, SF Opera Guild, "The Gospel of Mary Magdalene" insight panel, SF Conservatory, 50 Oak St., S.F. ($5)
- June 19—July 7, pre-opera talks in the Opera House, for 30 minutes, beginning an hour before performance (free for ticket holders)
- June 19-July 7, post-performance discussions in the Opera House, after each performance (free for ticket holders)
- 5 p.m. July 7, "Opera on the Couch," Books Inc., 601 Van Ness Ave., S.F. (free)