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Dear Teacher, Realizing that no booklet can be perfect, even for a single grade level, we hope you will find ample material here from which to choose activities for your students. Before the opera, please read through the information on Page 2 and do the activities on page 3 before the opera. For upper grade students, there are activities on pages 5 and 6. After the opera, you can have your students do the activities on page 4. We highly recommend having the students discuss what they heard in the opera, as this is such an important issue for all of us to understand and in which to take part. This will also maximize the students’ benefit from the performance. It would be excellent if the students took these booklet pages home when finished, since that helps promote our work and reflects favorably upon the school’s effort to provide their students with enriching experiences. The Attention Level of our audiences has improved surprisingly in the last 33 years. This is very encouraging and we know it is due to your teaching of audience manners. Please keep up the good work, emphasizing the importance of not talking during the show and the appropriateness of clapping or even cheering at the end of the shows. In professional opera houses, audiences yell “Bravo!” to show their appreciation. This year’s performance is a pastiche (paste-up) opera, i.e. a new libretto (script) into which have been inserted operatic
arias (songs) from various operas by Giuseppe Verdi. Of course, they have new lyrics (words), in
English, to fit into this new opera. A CD of the music for this show is available on our Web site (www.sierrachamberopera.org). The CD contains a narration of the story, a demonstration of different voice types, the music used in this show, as it appears in the original operas by Verdi, along with the 9 pieces that will be heard in the opera. Here is some concentrated information about the music, in the order it appears on the CD: 1. “Yes, alright mom” (“Questa o quella”), an aria from the opera “Rigoletto” 2. “Quiet, calmly” (“Zitti, Zitti”), a chorus from “Rigoletto” 3. “This is the reason that you must be sorting” (“Scorrendo
uniti remota via”) a chorus from 4. “Did you know that just one soda can (“Si ridesta in ciel l’aurora”) a chorus from “La Traviata” 5. “What’s the matter? What’s the problem?” (“Ne
appellaste? che volete?”), a chorus and
solo from 6. “Reduce, renew, reuse and recycle” (“Parigi, o cara”) a duet from “La Traviata” 7. When you’re recycling those electronic things” (“La
donna è mobile”) an aria from 8. “Here are some ways to avoid making waste” (“Anvil Chorus”) a chorus from “Il Trovatore” 9. “Remember, inhabitants of this planet” (“Libiamo”), solos and chorus from “La Traviata” All of the above are by Giuseppe Verdi (pronounced Vehr-dee) - 1813-1901. He was an Italian Romantic composer who was one of the most influential composers of the 19th century. When translated into English, his name is Joe Green! Verdi wrote 28 operas and many of them, especially the ones written after 1851, are a staple of standard operatic repertoire. With the possible exception of Giacomo Puccini, no composer of Italian opera has managed to match Verdi’s popularity. Well aware that dramatic expression was his forte, he was very careful to select plots that contained scenes rich in drama and characters brimming with passion. Many of his musical themes are easily recognized and familiar around the world. Verdi used musical theater to contrast noble ideals with the corrosive effects of power, love of country with the inevitable call for sacrifice and death, and the lure of passion with the need for social order. Verdi knew tragedy during his lifetime: early in his career he was devastated by the untimely deaths of his wife and two children. He and his second wife, a famous soprano names Giuseppina, had no children. Verdi was probably the only important composer who was also a successful farmer! Using the latest techniques, he grew vegetables, raised livestock, and planted a tree every time he finished another opera. He loved animals, poetry (especially Shakespeare), and history. He was also a senator, where his main concern was to put free musical education in the schools. Verdi cared little what critics thought of his music, but he did want to please the public: “The public will stand for anything except boredom.” The public was far from bored and he died a much beloved figure in Italy. Suggestions for further Verdi listening: Verdi wrote 28 operas, of which we have used portions of only three. Another three of his most popular operas, “Macbeth”, “Othello”, and “Falstaff”, are all based on the plays of William Shakespeare. Other favorite operas of his include “Aida”, “Don Carlo”, “Ernani”, “La Forza del Destino”, “Un Ballo in Maschera”, “Simon Boccanegra” and “Nabucco”. He also wrote “Messa da Requiem” or “The Verdi Requiem”, as it is known now. It is a musical setting of a Roman Catholic funeral mass for 4 soloists, double choir and orchestra. It was composed in memory of Alessandro Manzoni, an Italian poet and novelist, much admired by Verdi. It was written to mark the first anniversary of Manzoni’s death. This is a favorite piece of most Verdi fans. Opera concepts to discuss: libretto (script for an opera that shows all the words to be spoken or sung and describes the characters, scenery and stage movements); dialog (words spoken); plot (story of the play or opera); stage set (scenery and objects on the stage) and props (properties) (objects the singers use in acting out the story). Other opera students would enjoy: Amahl and the Night Visitors, Hansel and Gretel, Tales of Hoffmann (Act 1), Where the Wild Things Are, Higgledy-Piggledy Pop! All are available on DVD, as well. Letters from Teachers: The Southeast Elementary School teachers and students would like to thank you for your awesome rendition of the elements needed to travel (Chefs Go ‘Round The World!). The curriculum presented, the words to the songs, and the music was superb. We loved the colorful costumes, the interesting props and the operatic music. The varied and aligned movement with the songs and humorous way you acted made the opera collectively, a powerful presentation. We appreciate you all very much. Contact us early next year, so we may schedule a presentation. With sincere appreciation, Dr. Gwendolyn Thurston-Lockett, Acting Principal, Southeast Elementary We would like to thank SCO for a most enjoyable opera performance by the “Four Chefs”. The students loved it. Because of your hard work, talent, and generosity, our students have been able to learn about, listen, and enjoy the opera via a live performance. You have no idea how much we appreciate your dedication to music education. Our students have benefited time and time again! Kathy
Penner, Music Teacher, |