Fans of music and John Steinbeck will have a rare opportunity to join a behind-the-scenes presentation of the Pittsburgh Operas forthcoming show,The Grapes of Wrath,based on Steinbecks landmark American novel.

The West Virginia University community will be able to meet the shows composer, Ricky Ian Gordon, and the resident artists of Pittsburgh Opera at 4 p.m. Tuesday (March 11) in the Bloch Learning and Performance Hall (Room 200A) of the Creative Arts Center on the Evansdale Campus.

The visit is sponsored by the WVU College of Creative Arts Division of Music and Pittsburgh Opera.With music by Gordon, an alumnus of Carnegie Mellon University, and libretto by Tony Award winner Michael Korie,The Grapes of Wrathis a spectacular and faithful operatic telling of Steinbecks novel. The show will make its East Coast premier in November and will be one of the largest works that Pittsburgh Opera has produced.

During Tuesdays preview, Gordon will describe how he brought the story to life for the opera stage, and Pittsburgh Opera resident artists will perform selections fromThe Grapes of Wrath.The composer will also answer questions from the audience.

Those who plan to attend the free preview should RSVP through the following Web link:http://www.trgarts.com/eticket/o/PO/p/start.php?module=490.Although this RSVP is not mandatory, space in the Bloch Learning and Performance Hall is limited. Preference will be given to those who reserve a seat in advance.

For information about the show in November, contact Randy Adams, group services manager, Pittsburgh Opera Inc., at radams@pittsburghopera.org or 412-281-0912 ext. 213.