Sounds of Learning

Inspired by the fashion and glamour to be found in the Opera Company of Philadelphia's new production of Romeo and Juliet, the students of St. Mary Interparochial School, 7th and 8th grade in Donna Bridy's class, have made their own costume and couture designs.

This week we'll take a look at the powerful scene where Mercutio is slain by Tybalt who is in turn slain by Romeo. For the first part, we'll see Franco Zefirelli's classic take on Shakespeare from 1968 up until the death of Mercutio. Then Baz Luhruman updates the scene on contemporary times for the death of Tybalt. Finally, we'll see the grand ensemble that closes the scene following Tybalt's death in Gounod's opera. VIDEOS OF THE WEEK Franco Zefirelli BAZ LUHRMAN CHARLES GOUNOD WEBSITE OF THE WEEK This week, we'll get to know Philadelphia native Stephen Costello , who sings Romeo in this production, and his real-life wife and costar, soprano Ailyn Pérez . Free Upcoming Opera Events There are two great ways to learn more about opera, Romeo & Juliet and more! On Sunday, February 6th, the Opera Company presents a free recital of music from Romeo and Juliet at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts from 2-3 pm. Visit A Taste of Opera online to learn mo...

This week our clips of the week will center on the famous Balcony Scene from Shakespeare's play. "But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?" sounds a little different in French than in Shakespeare's tongue. We'll continue comparing the film versions by Franco Zefirelli and Baz Luhrman in addition to a videotaped version of the opera from the Royal Opera Covent Garden. VIDEOS OF THE WEEK Franco Zefirelli BAZ LUHRMAN CHARLES GOUNOD WEBSITE OF THE WEEK This week, take a moment to visit two websites with information about Verona, Italy, where the story takes place. While our production is set in modern times and in the world of fashion, it's important to have a sense of the history of the story. Plese Visit Verona's History and Juliet's Verona for a look at the alleged Capulet mansion! Free Upcoming Opera Events There are two great ways to learn more about opera, Romeo & Juliet and more! On Sunday, February 6th, the Opera Company presents a...

This week we'll begin our comparison of Romeo and Juliet by looking at the scene where the two lovers meet in Shakespeare's play and in Gounod's opera. We'll also have a peek at the Opera Company's latest Random Act of Culture and a free events on February 6th and February 12th. Video Clip of the Week When Romeo and Juliet meet for the first time at the Capulet ball, time seems to stand still in the excitement of the moment. We'll take a look at the same scene from the wildly popular and opulent 1968 film by Franco Zeffirelli which cast teenagers Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey in the roles, then in Baz Luhrman's updated version to "Verona Beach" with Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio, then the same scene from the opera with Roberto Alagna and Leontina Vaduva from the Royal Opera Covent Garden in the min 1990s. How are they similar? How are they different? Which couple is the most innocent? Which honors Shakespeare's intentions most? Franco...