Dr Ruth Bereson, Associate Director of the Program in Arts Administration at Columbia University's Teachers College, will present a talk on her latest publication, at Lasalle-Sia College of the Arts, in Singapore, on August 8. Dr Bereson will discuss her book, 'The Operatic State: Cultural Policy and the Opera House', which examines the cultural, financial and political investments that have gone into the maintenance of opera houses internationally, and some of the implications this raises. In the publication, Dr Bereson argues that by legitimising the power of the state through recognised ceremonial ritual, opera and opera houses enjoy a privileged status throughout the world, often to the detriment of popular and indigenous art forms. Dr Bereson will speak about the importance which opera houses have signified to states over time, and present illustrative examples from many countries, including England, France, Russia, the United States, Australia, Vietnam and China. DATE: August, 8, 12-2pm VENUE: Lasalle-Sia College of the Arts, 90 Goodman Road, Singapore MORE INFO: Contact Joyce Teo at Lasalle-Sia College of the Arts, email joyceteo@;lasallesia.edu.sg