Sounds of Learning

Students in the Opera Philadelphia's Sounds of Learning program saw Rossini's The Barber of Seville  at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia on September 24th, 2014. True love's groom. Rossini’s rapid-fire romp kicks off with a famous overture and veers into a hilarious series of disguises, trickery and tomfoolery. Determined to win the heart of the beautiful, strong-willed Rosina(mezzo Jennifer Holloway, in her role and company debuts) with charm and wit— rather than nobility and wealth—Count Almaviva(tenor Taylor Stayton) enlists the help of the wily Figaro (baritoneJonathan Beyer) to steal her away from the lecherous Dr. Bartolo(bass Kevin Burdette). This 17th-century love story gets a rousing facelift complete with vibrant Spanish staging and a catalog of hits from the famous “Figaro! Figaro! Figaro!” of “Largo al factotum” toRosina’s equally spectacular “Una voce poco fa.” Participating students are encouraged to share their thoughts on the opera by postin...

Students in the Opera Philadelphia's Sounds of Learning program saw Mozart's Don Giovanni   at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia on April 23, 2014. Who was that masked man? As the legendary rake Don Juan leaves a trail of jilted lovers and mayhem in his wake, Mozart’s alternately mischievous and harrowing masterpiece of mistaken identity reveals the charmer’s darkest side. With an ingeniously playful staging of masquerades, trapdoors and mirrored panels, witness the genre's most infamous scoundrel in this timeless classic of comedy and tragedy.  Participating students are encouraged to share their thoughts on the opera by posting their reviews here. All reviews, positive and negative, will be accepted, just make sure to include your: FIRST NAME GRADE SCHOOL In order to be accepted onto the blog, all reviews must be at least 50 words or more. Tell us what you liked about the story, the sets, your favorite character, or your favorite scene, and more. Don'...