The Week in Preview: February 15 - Nashua Telegraph

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Tuesday

Food for thought

When it comes to culinary tourism, foodies tend to visit New England for our clam chowder instead of, say, our steak fajitas. Take a humorous look at how food defines a region at “Baked Beans and Fried Clams,” a free presentation by Edie Clark at 7 p.m. at the Merrimack Public Library.

Clark, a writer and former editor for Yankee Magazine, will give an informative, anecdote-peppered talk about the solid, stick-to-your-ribs dishes that make up New England’s traditional cuisine and how the changing times have affected eating habits here in the Granite State.

This event is hosted by the Merrimack Historical Society and is open to the public. Contact Anita at 424-5084 or anitacreager58@comcast.net.

Wednesday

Menacing munchies

Those leftovers huddled in the back of your fridge have yet to grow mold or give off unpleasant odors, but does that mean they’re still OK to eat? Find out at “Green Fuzz, Pink Slime and Other Aluminum Surprises,” a free presentation at noon in the third-floor auditorium at the University of New Hampshire at Manchester at 400 Commercial St. in Manchester.

Nutrition educator and registered dietitian Alice Mullen will give you the low-down dirty truth about food-borne bacteria and illnesses. She’ll share plenty of tips on how to handle (and dispose of) food properly, including four easy-to-follow food safety steps that will greatly reduce your chances of unintentionally making yourself sick.

Visit www.unhm.unh.edu or call 641-4167 for details.

Wednesday

One tough crowd

You expect to hear a certain amount of heckling at a baseball game, but the opera is supposed to be a classier affair. Unfortunately for the performers, that’s exactly what happened at the disastrous premiere of Giacomo Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” today in 1904.

Puccini’s tragic tale of a Japanese wife whose devotion is betrayed by her U.S. serviceman husband was met with boos and catcalls from the audience at La Scala in Milan, Italy. The jeers of the audience drowned out the orchestra, making it almost impossible for the performers to sing.

Rosina Storchio, the soprano portraying Cio-Cio-san (which translates to “Madame Butterfly”), was so upset, she burst into tears on stage. Puccini was livid at the opera’s reception, likening it to throwing daisies to a herd of swine.

The audience, however, may not have been entirely out of line. Puccini had finished writing the opera fairly close to its premiere date, so the performers didn’t have time to rehearse properly.

Puccini rewrote the opera extensively and staged his revision May 24, 1904, in Brescia, Italy, where it was a tremendous success. Apparently still unsatisfied, he rewrote the opera three more times.

Today, the final rewrite of “Madama Butterfly” is one of the most frequently performed operas in America.

Friday

Totally in tune

When the kids are giving you a hard time and refusing to cooperate, you can take comfort in knowing there’s one family that’s always in perfect harmony. Enjoy an evening of fiddling, singing, and Irish step dancing by the award-winning Hunt Family Fiddlers at 8 p.m. at Elm Street Middle School’s Keefe Auditorium at 117 Elm St. in Nashua.

From Celtic to bluegrass and inspirational songs to popular tunes, Clint and Sandy and their seven children will take your breath away with their talent and warm your heart with their charm.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for full-time students ages 6 to 22 (plus a $3 and $2 online ticketing fee, respectively) and can be ordered at www.cityartsnashua.org. Call 888-9158 or visit www.nashuacommunity concerts.org.

The Week in Preview (written by Teresa Santoski) makes a sturdy newspaper cone for the fried seafood of your choice. Know of an event worthy of filling this space? Call 594-6467 or e-mail tsantoski@nashuatelegraph.com. Follow TWiP, Daily TWiP, Tete-a-tete, and Teresa’s general ramblings at twitter.com/TeresaInPreview.

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