Essential Opera - Reading Together - Part 21

"It ain't over till the fat lady sings" - once again an opera reference has pervaded popular culture.
"The phrase is generally understood to be referencing the stereotypically overweight sopranos of Grand Opera" (source).

Here are some final educational resources to help you teach your students more about opera:

• Opera Education Resource Materials from San Francisco Opera
• Lesson Plans (on a variety of operas) from LA Opera
• Classroom Materials from The Dallas Opera
• Educational Resources from Kentucky Opera
• Education Resources from Victorian Opera
• Education Resources from Pittsburgh Opera

Leave your comments and impressions below. Thanks for joining in on this Reading Together series.

I'm starting to plan the next Reading Together series. If you have any recommendations, I'd love to hear them. Please leave them in a comment below.

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Essential Opera - Reading Together - Part 20

La Traviata is one of Verdi's most famous operas.

Here's a brief synopsis:
"At one of her brilliant supper parties, the beautiful but frail demi-mondaine, Violetta Valéry, meets the well-born Alfredo Germont, and for love of him abandons her feverish life of pleasure. Alfredo’s father intrudes on their idyllic existence in the country and, although realizing her sincerity, persists in his demand that Violetta renounce Alfredo. Violetta determines to make the sacrifice and departs, leaving only a note for Alfredo. She appears at a ball in Flora’s house on the arm of an old admirer, Baron Douphol, to the fury of Alfredo. The two men play at cards; Alfredo wins consistently. Unable to persuade Violetta to go with him, Alfredo insults her and is challenged by the Baron. Violetta becomes ill, and all her friends desert her, leaving her virtually penniless. Alfredo at last returns. His father has told him of Violetta’s noble renunciation, and urged him to seek her forgiveness. Overjoyed at the sight of him, Violetta attempts to rise. But it is too late. As Germont and the doctor enter, Violetta dies in Alfredo’s arms." (from Opera Production: A Handbook by Quaintance Eaton, University of Minnesota Press, 1961)

Here are some resources on La Traviata:

• An Audio Introduction to La Traviata from NPR Music
• Becoming Traviata: A Look At Opera From Behind The Curtain from NPR Music
• La Traviata: Lesson Plan on Realism in Art and Music from LA Opera
• La Traviata: Classroom Materials from San Francisco Opera

Leave your comments and impressions below. And, don't forget to read the twenty-first installment for next week.

I'm starting to plan the next Reading Together series. If you have any recommendations, I'd love to hear them. Please leave them in a comment below.

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Essential Opera - Reading Together - Part 19

Giuseppe Verdi was an Italian composer who lived in the 1800s.
His most popular operas include Aida, Falstaff, Macbeth, Othello, Rigoletto, La Traviate, and Il Trovatore.
Since some of his operas draw on Shakespeare's plays, looking at those works would be a great idea for some cross-disciplinary lessons.

Here are some resources on Verdi and his works:

• La Donna e Mobile (from Rigoletto) arranged for level 3 piano solo
• Lesson plan to cover the overture to Nabucco
• Macbeth Educator's Guide from The Metropolitan Opera
• Aida Educator's Guide from the Edmonton Opera
• Time line of Verdi's life

Leave your comments and impressions below. And, don't forget to read the twentieth installment for next week.

I'm starting to plan the next Reading Together series. If you have any recommendations, I'd love to hear them. Please leave them in a comment below.

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Essential Opera - Reading Together - Part 18

Another famous opera written by Puccini is Madame Butterfly.

This epic story of betrayal, yearning, and loss still speaks to audiences.

In case you'd be interested in working through this opera with your students, I've collected a list of free resources.

• NPR Music: Cultural Collision: Puccini's 'Madame Butterfly' - includes and introduction to the opera with Placido Domingo
• Aria Database: information on four of the main arias from the opera
• San Francisco Opera Guild: Teacher's Guide - includes information about the opera and discussion prompts
• Pacific Opera Victoria: Study Guide - includes study activities for grades 1-6

Leave your comments and impressions below. And, don't forget to read the nineteenth installment for next week.

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