Jacobs School of Music Live Streams Groundbreaking, Opera Opening

The Indiana University Jacobs School of Music celebrates two important milestones today (Friday, April 8): the groundbreaking ceremony to signify the start of construction on the 85,000-square-foot Jacobs School of Music Faculty Studio Building and the world premiere of Vincent, an opera based on the life of Dutch impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh.

Presiding over the groundbreaking at 3 p.m. ET will be the Trustees of Indiana University, IU President Michael A. McRobbie, IU Bloomington Provost and Executive Vice President Karen Hanson and Jacobs School Dean Gwyn Richards.

The building will be constructed on the northeast corner of Third Street and Jordan Avenue. The facility will provide technologically and acoustically superior teaching and practice facilities to rival any music school or conservatory in the world, while also marking the entrance to the university's music, fine arts and performing arts district.

The first performance of Vincent, taking place at 8 p.m. ET, will be the 22nd world premiere and the 418th production by IU Opera Theater. Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Bernard Rands and one of the most sought-after librettists, J. D. McClatchy, Vincent was commissioned by the Jacobs School of Music in honor of the school's 100th anniversary as a department.

A second live-streamed performance of Vincent, will be Saturday, April 9, at 8 p.m. ET.

To watch the live-streamed events, visit http://music.indiana.edu

Read about the Faculty Studio Building: http://blogs.music.indiana.edu/newbuilding