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Opera terms:
Aria: song sung by 1 person
Duet: song sung by 2 people
Trio: song sung by 3 people
Quartet: performed by 4 people
Ensemble: performed by many people | |
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WELCOME TO OPERA LAND
The activities in this booklet are for you to use in class. Remember to take them home with you to show your parents. Tell them about what you have seen and heard today. The show you are going to see is an opera!
An OPERA is a play that has singing in it. Our show lasts about 30 minutes, but some operas last more than four hours! In big opera houses, singers perform with an orchestra, but today you will hear a piano accompaniment.
Not everyone can be an opera singer. People study music, singing and languages for many years before they are ready to perform. They need to be as strong as athletes, so they can sing for long periods of time on the stage and loudly enough to project their voices so the people in the highest balcony can hear them. |
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ABOUT THE STORY
Music by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto by David Sarkisian
Music selected and adapted by David Sarkisian |
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CAST OF CHARACTERS
Joelle Francesca Green (Jo Green): Stephanie Yparrea-Budd, soprano
Rat: Jasmine Swalef, soprano
Coyote: Tracy Lee Jones, mezzo-soprano
Seagull: Barbara Wilkinson Vlymen, soprano
Understudies: Kelly Krumbein, soprano
Kaylee McCracken, soprano
Pianists: Lori McCracken, Alan Rea
Nancy Wamhof, Jill Webb
Stage direction: David Sarkisian
Set Construction: Dick Herboldshimer
Costume design: Tracy Lee Jones, Marcella Oneida, Barbara Wilkinson Vlymen
Set Design and Props: Tracy Lee Jones
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THE STORY
One of the greatest opera composers of all time was Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901).
His name means Joe Green. Now, nearly 200 years after his birth, when we
say “green” we think of green trees, green grass and green plants. All
these green things depend on people to maintain a healthy environment
for all living things to thrive. In this year’s opera, three scavenger
animals (Rat, Coyote and Seagull) sing an entertaining and friendly
reminder to Joelle Green, encouraging her and you to participate in all
types of recycling to help keep our planet green. |
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