“Mad Women”

Bitchiness is not a trait confined to lowbrow entertainment like Judge Hatchett, America’s Next Top Model and the political writings of Michelle Malkin. It can also be found in the world of opera, as Ars Lyrica Houston will demonstrate at today’s concert “Mad Women.” Soprano Melissa Givens and soprano/mezzo-soprano Marie Lenormand will be singing some of the all-time best songs about irate females. On the program is Purcell’s Bess of Bedlam, Clérambault’s Médée and Handel’s Lucrezia, all featuring the histrionic, overbearing women who acted as comedic relief in 15th- and 16th-century opera. We promise the sounds will be much sweeter than Tyra Banks’s shrill screaming.

Fri., Sept. 7, 7:30 p.m.

This article appears in Sep 6-12, 2007.