Social snobbery, alcoholism, marital infidelity and financial chicanery: The plot of "Dinner at Eight" could have been written yesterday. Instead it dates from a 1930s play by George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber, which librettist Mark Campbell has adapted for veteran American composer William Bolcom's new opera. Despite the shady thematic content, "Dinner at Eight" sparkles with comic elements, and Bolcom's score is laced with Broadway pizazz and sassy rhythms. Conductor David Agler leads Minnesota Opera's world-premiere staging. (7:30 p.m. Sat., Ordway Music Theater, St. Paul; $25-$200, 612-333-6669 or mnopera.org)

Choral convention

The American Choral Directors bring their annual convention to Minneapolis this week. Festivities include three concerts open to the public (bonus: two are free). The first features Twin Cities choirs VocalEssence and The Singers performing Dominick Argento's "Te Deum" — plus a singalong with Garrison Keillor. The second showcases the storied Stuttgart Kammerchor in a 16-part mass by German composer Carl Fasch as well as Mendelssohn's "Te Deum." Finally, Orphei Drängar, the renowned male choir from Uppsala, Sweden, will give a ticketed recital. (7:30 p.m. Tue., Convention Center, Mpls.; 7:30 p.m. Fri., Bethel University, Arden Hills; 2 p.m. Sat., Plymouth Congregational Church, Mpls.; free-$20, asimn.org)

Gilbert & Sullivan

Venice is the setting for the tangled amours and confused identities of Gilbert & Sullivan's opera "The Gondoliers" in a new production by Twin Cities-based Gilbert & Sullivan Very Light Opera Company. "In enterprise of martial kind" is just one of the hits from this G&S classic. (7:30 p.m. Thu., Fri., Sat.; 2 p.m. Sun.; Howard Conn Fine Arts Center, Mpls.; $12-$22, gsvloc.org)

Listening to women

The Hill House Chamber Players continue their exploration of significant works by female composers. This concert features the Viola Sonata by English composer Rebecca Clarke as well as the Piano Trio of Clara Schumann, a highly talented musician whose legacy is eclipsed by her famous husband, Robert. (7:30 p.m. Mon., James J. Hill House, St. Paul; $12-$23, schubert.org)

Eric Whitacre Singers

Eric Whitacre — composer, teacher, innovator, inspirational speaker — is one of the leading choral practitioners in the world of classical music. The Eric Whitacre Singers visit St. Paul to perform some of the composer's best known pieces and a Whitacre world premiere. (7:30 p.m. Thu., Cathedral of St. Paul; $35-$55, ericwhitacre.com)

TERRY BLAIN