Saddleback to Screen 7 Opera Films

Saddleback College will open a free series of seven opera films--some movies and some taped live performances--Jan. 21 with Puccini’s “Turandot.” Eva Marton sings the title role. Michael Sylvester is Calaf, the Unknown Prince. Donald Runnicles conducts.

The rest of the series:

* Feb. 4: Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly,” with Yasuko Hayashi and Hak-Nam Kim. Lorin Maazel conducts.

* Feb. 18: Bizet’s “Carmen,” with Placido Domingo and Julia Migenes-Johnson. Maazel conducts.

* March 3: Mozart’s “Die Zauberflote,” with Lucia Popp, Francisco Araiza and Kurt Moll. James Levine conducts.

* March 17: Verdi’s “Aida,” with Luciano Pavarotti and Ghena Dimitrova. Maazel conducts.

* March 31: Rossini’s “Il Barbieri di Siviglia,” with Beverly Sills. Sarah Caldwell conducts.

* April 14: Wagner’s “Lohengrin,” with Marton, Peter Hofmann and Leonie Rysanek. Levine conducts.

All the operas are sung in the original languages, with English subtitles. The films will be screened in the Science/Math Building, Room 313, at 7 p.m.

Parking is free. Saddleback College is at 28000 Marguerite Parkway in Mission Viejo. Information: (949) 582-4788.