BLO pairs The Book of V. with “mad scenes,” an operatic trope largely popularized in 19th century European opera where male composers wrote elaborate, vocally demanding scenes for virtuosic singers – primarily women – to show off their vocal prowess while having a dramatic, emotional breakdown on stage. Their featured example will be the famous mad scene from Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, “Il dolce suono/Spargi d’amaro piano.” Details here.