In hopes of establishing a place for Spain at the table of classical music, Tomás Bretón (1850–1923) studied in Rome, Milan, Vienna, and Paris; directed the Conservatory of Madrid for 20 years; and wrote operas that never caught on abroad. How intriguing that one of them should be about Farinelli, the Neapolitan castrato who ended his stupendous international career as personal nightingale to Philip V of Spain, serenading him nightly to ease his melancholy, never again singing in public. —M.G.

Performances take place on Saturday, February 15 and Monday, February 17 at 8:00pm.