Eliane Watson, a self- described opera fanatic, is exposing others to the genius of Verdi, Wagner and Gounod.
Now in her mid-80s, Watson will hold weekly seminars this fall on opera masterpieces through the Renaissance Society program at California State University, Sacramento.
"The music is so beautiful, it just fills your heart," Watson said last week.
She is one of many society members who conduct college-level courses at CSUS without being professors. Her students are her society peers.
Founded in the mid-1980s, the society is a learning program that allows its members, mostly retirees, to share their expertise in subjects they know well – be it politics, history or opera – by holding seminars on the topic.
The society is an affiliate of both the Association for Learning in Retirement Organizations West and the Elderhostel Information Network, according to a society pamphlet.
At 10 a.m. Friday, the society will hold its semi-yearly enrollment of old and new members at Hinde Auditorium, on the first floor of the University Union at CSUS, 6000 J St.
First on the program will be a presentation for prospective members on how the society functions.
Enrollment of both new and old members will begin at 12:30 p.m. in the Student Union's ballroom. At this time, guests may visit tables where seminar leaders will provide details on the courses they are offering.
At 3 p.m. each Friday, the society has a Forum program featuring prominent local speakers. Scheduled to speak on Sept. 5 is Rex Babin, The Bee's editorial cartoonist.
For an annual membership fee of $60, members can attend any society events, use the campus library and park free at CSUS on Fridays, when the group holds most of its activities.
"This is a learning and retirement program open to any adult interested in a learning experience," society President Harriette Work said. "There is no age requirement, except an interest in learning."
CSUS, she added, "has been a wonderful supporter" of the society.
"It's because of its support that we've been able to offer the type of invigorating programs we have," she said.
Last spring, the society had about 960 members, all of whom must re-register annually to remain with the group.
While seminar participants don't receive college credits, they do get "the enjoyment of being in a class," Work said.
Each seminar meets about 12 consecutive Fridays, for about two hours each time.
This will be the third time that Watson has conducted opera seminars she developed with approval of the society's membership committee.
"I've been a fan of the opera since I was about 6," Watson, of Sacramento, said. "My parents always listened to Saturday afternoon (radio) broadcasts of the New York Metropolitan Opera."
Now that the Met has gone high-tech by transmitting its performances live to movie theaters, Watson is keeping up with the times.
"I have the schedule for nine operas that will be broadcast by the Met this fall," Watson said, adding her students will study each work before watching a high-definition broadcast of it at a local movie theater.
Besides discussing each opera's plot, they also will listen to CD highlights in the classroom.
This preparation for each broadcast will deepen the students' appreciation for each opera, Watson said.
Watson, a retired probation officer, lists "Romeo and Juliet" by Charles-François Gounod as her favorite opera.
Arias are divine, but for other seminar leaders like Doug Fulton, nothing is more thrilling than a political discussion.
Fulton, a retired Air Force colonel, for more than a decade has led a seminar titled, "Great Decisions in U.S. Foreign Policy."
The topics he covers are suggested by the Foreign Policy Association, a group that seeks to educate Americans on U.S. foreign affairs.
"I could easily have 80 people at my seminars, but about 25 is all we can handle," said Fulton, 85, of Fair Oaks.
Some of the decisions covered by his group have been truly great – such as the Marshall Plan for Europe's economic recovery after World War II. Others have been great in generating controversies – such as the Bay of Pigs invasion, the CIA-organized futile thrust against Fidel Castro in 1961.
"At my seminars, you will never hear people complain about their aches and pains – problems that are related to aging," Fulton said. "They are interested in ideas and current events.
"They're interested in keeping alert."
For more details about the society's programs, call (916) 278-7834 or visit its Web site, www.csus.edu/ORG/ RENSOC/.
Call The Bee's Edgar Sanchez, (916) 321-1088.
