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If you liked Carmen...

Welcome Students and Teachers to Opera Online!!
Students in the Opera Company of Philadelphia's Sounds of Learning program saw the final dress rehearsal of Bizet's Carmen on Wednesday, September 28th, 2011 at the Academy of Music. This week we are focusing on operas similar to Carmen. If you liked Carmen check out these opera!

Video Clips of the Week!
If you loved the music of Carmen...
Check out Georges Bizet's other big opera hit, The Pearl Fishers. The opera tells the story of a treacherous love triangle between two fishermen and a beautiful priestess. The first clip is a duet from the beginning of the opera. Two the two fishermen, best friends Zurga and Nadir recall when they both fell in love with the same woman and pledge to never let a woman come between them. This clip comes from the Opera Company of Philadelphia production of The Pearl Fishers in 2004 and features baritone Nathan Gunn and tenor William Braden.





If you were inspired by Carmen's independence...
Like Carmen, the character Musetta from Giacomo Puccini's La Boheme can get any man she wants, when she wants. In the next video clip Musetta charms a crowd of men while making her old boyfriend, Rudolfo extremely jealous and infuriating her new boyfriend!




If you cheered for Escamillo...
Although Figaro is just a barber, he is the most important man in town. Just ask him! Bringing just as much bravado as Escamillo, Figaro from Gioachino Rossini's The Barber of Seville sings about his important job in this famous aria "Largo al Factotum".





If you enjoyed the smuggler's quintet or laughed at the children's march...
La Cenerentola is a Rossini opera that tells the well known story of Cinderella. The next video clip is from the final scene of the opera. The Prince has come to marry Cinderella and is suprised to find out that she is a scullery maid. Cinderella is suprised to find out the man she loves is a prince. the evil step sisters are suprised to find out that the man they thought was a page is really a prince and the evil stepfather is just confused. In this hilarious sextet they all wonder what is going to happen next and muse at their confusion.








Websites of the Week!
If you are interested in seeing other live opera productions in Philadelphia, check out the Academy of Vocal Arts and the Curtis Opera Theater! Be sure to check out the rest of the season at Opera Company of Philadelphia as well!



Opera on the Air!!
On Saturday, October 15th at 12:30 PM, radio station WRTI will be broadcasting the San Fransisco Opera's production of Richard Wagner's Gotterdammerung (in German).
The final opera in the Ring Cycle is a suspenseful tale of bravery and sacrifice, treachery and betrayal, destruction and renewal. The sacred union of Siegfried and Brunnhilde is threatened by three scheming siblings. Driven by greed, their actions inevitably lead to chaos and destruction, until Brunnhilde - wise, pure of heart, heroic - steps forward to return the universe to its natural order in an act of self-sacrifice. Conducted by Donald Runnicles the cast features tenor Ian Storey as Siegfried and Nina Stemme as Brunnhilde.

Until Next Week!

Comments

Harris School said…
Harris School...

The Academy of Music was breathtaking! This is the first time I ever saw an opera and I loved it. I liked knowing what was happening, but at the same time I felt like it was the first time I was experiencing it. The Habanara was my favorite by far!
11:31 AM
Harris School said…
I felt like I was part of the performance. From reading the libretto before attending the opera, I felt like I was the role I read for (Don Jose). It was incredible to see him come to life on stage. Their voices were so powerful. It's amazing how they filled the entire place!
11:33 AM
Harris School said…
I loved it! I really thought the lighting was nice. The music was familiar at some points and very good. The actors were great! My favorite scene would have to be when Carmen Dances for Don Jose.
- Will
11:41 AM
Harris School said…
I found it to be exciting and fun. The final scene when Don Jose killed Carmen. Carmen deserved it because she did not treat Don Jose correctly. I liked the music and everything about the opera!
- Andrew
11:43 AM
Harris School said…
It was great! My mom was a chaperone and she loved it too. My favorite part was when the soldiers were hanging outside on their break and the cigarette girls came out to smoke. They were all flirting with each other. I can't wait to go again.
- Lauren
11:48 AM
Harris School said…
I liked the part in the beginning when Carmen threw the flower. Don Jose didn't really like her at first, but then he started liking her. I thought the Academy of Music was elegant and fancy. I am looking forward to going again!

- Jenaye
11:51 AM
Harris School said…
The chandelier was beautiful. The storyline of the opera was interesting. My favorite part was when the gypsies were reading their fortunes with the tarot cards.

- Naomi
11:55 AM
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