A lecture on the nature of temptation, spiritual tests, and psychological ordeals in Arrigo Boito’s opera Mefistofele. Beginners welcome!
Lecture Topic: Divine Tests, Temptation, and Holy Negation in Mefistofele (Prologue and Act I)
Like Beethoven, Arrigo Boito composed only one opera (Mefistofele), yet whose mystical allegory, musical power, and masterful lyricism continues to resonate, inspire, alarm, and, quite frequently, amuse. Based on medieval legends and Goethe’s play Faust, this work depicts the famous and jaded scholar who makes a bet with the devil: to acquire occult knowledge and faculties at the cost of his soul, or to conquer temptation in the service of the sacred. If Faust can overcome passion, power, and desire, he can enter the divine mysteries and spiritual hierarchies where true peace, realization, and understanding is to be found. Surprisingly, all of this occurs under the auspices of the Transcendent, for without divinely-sanctioned temptation and adversity, there is no development, mastery, or faith, like Jehovah approving of Satan’s afflictions upon Job to prove his candidacy to sainthood (Job 1:12). Or as described by Samael Aun Weor throughout his writings, “Temptation is fire. Triumph over temptation is light.” Discover how an initiate enters the secret path to liberation by facing the necessary forces of opposition and resistance—the mysterious and instructive tests of Lucifer (“the light-maker”)—so as to acquire profound self-knowledge and the wielding of esoteric powers with ethics, purity, and wisdom.
To prepare for this event, we recommend you listen to or study the following lecture, since it provides much background knowledge that will deepen your understanding of this opera:
https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/arcanum-15-passion
Light refreshments and snacks will be served before and during the viewing of the Prologue and Act I. Afterward we will have a short break and reconvene for the lecture.
Listen to the previous lectures in this course (see specifically the "Introduction to the Secret Teachings of Opera”):
https://chicagognosis.org/the-secret-teachings-of-opera.html
Location and Directions
828 Davis St, Suite 5 (Lower Level)
Evanston, IL 60201
There is paid parking across the street in the Sherman Plaza Parking Garage with cheap hourly rates ($6 for 3 to 5 hours).
The 201 and 213 Buses stop across the street at Davis St. and Benson Ave. You can also take the 93, 201, 208, 213, or 250 Bus to Davis and Maple, walking a block East on Davis until reaching our location across from Benson Ave.
The Davis Purple Line stop is half a block away. When arriving, go South on Benson Ave straight ahead to our location on Davis St.
There is also the Davis St. / Evanston Metra Station, whereby you can walk South on Maple and East on Davis.
When you arrive, enter through the front. Go down to the lower level via the stairs to the left or the elevator to the right. We are located in Suite 5.
Please RSVP if you plan to attend. We look forward to seeing you!
You may also like the following events from Gnostic Academy of Chicago:
Also check out other
Workshops in Evanston.
