Sounds of Learning

Students in the Opera Philadelphia's Sounds of Learning program saw Donizetti's Elixir of Love   at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia on April 27, 2016.  The potent potion to drive devotion A truly magic brew, or just a bottle of snake oil? The Elixir of Love (L’elisir d’amore), set in the 1940s Italian countryside in this charming production from The Santa Fe Opera, is a delight for all lovers of 19th-century Italian bel canto. Poor, oil-soaked auto-mechanic Nemorino is in love with the wealthy Adina, but she only has eyes for the striking Sergeant Belcore. Enter pinstriped Dr. Dulcamara, a quack who woos Nemorino with a promise: drink the elixir and Adina will fall in love with Nemorino within a day. But, does this strange tincture really work? 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 ...

Students in the Opera Philadelphia's Sounds of Learning program saw Higdon/Sheer's Cold Mountain   at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia on February 3, 2016.  A love to move mountains Fatigued by the horrors of the Civil War, deserter W.P. Inman foots the arduous terrain of North Carolina toward home and the salve of his love, Ada Monroe, herself transformed by his absence. Once a Southern lady of privilege, Ada adapts to years of profound deprivation thanks to a resourceful new friend, Ruby. Inman’s odyssey home is plagued by not only the Home Guard’s marshals, but a more gruesome possibility: has the war’s violence withered his human capacity to love? And further, what truly makes a man a human? 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 Tell us what you liked about the story, the sets, y...

Students in the Opera Philadelphia's Sounds of Learning program saw Verdi's  La traviata  at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia on September 30, 2015.  Short-lived love In Verdi’s classic work, Parisian courtesan Violetta surrenders her last hope of personal happiness for the sake of her lover Alfredo’s reputation. Though she is a “fallen woman,” Verdi’s empathetic and vivid score maintains her dignity and the audience’s compassion. Daring production choices encourage modernity and tradition to collide via a golden-hued Baroque stage and a midcentury fashion sensibility. This bold setting creates a unique canvas upon which to experience an unforgettable La traviata. 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 ...

Students in the Opera Philadelphia's Sounds of Learning program saw Verdi's Don Carlo  at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia on April 22, 2015.  Family ties don't always bind Sometimes it’s peace, not war, that tests a man’s loyalty. Elisabeth, the centerpiece of an uneasy treaty between France and Spain, ignites a love triangle of epic proportions. While brokered to King Philip II of Spain, it is his son Don Carlo who possesses her heart. Now they must choose: loyalty or their lives? Bass-baritone Eric Owens makes his much-anticipated role debut as King Philip II alongside Dimitri Pittas,Leah Crocetto, and Michelle DeYoung in their company debuts. Troy Cook and Morris Robinson round out a powerhouse cast in this new production directed by Tim Albery and conducted by Music Director Corrado Rovaris. 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...

Students in the Opera Philadelphia's Sounds of Learning program saw Theodore Morrison and John Cox's Oscar  at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia on February 4th, 2015.  Poetic injustice. Legendarily flamboyant Oscar Wilde was the toast of the literary world—until a scandalous love affair with Lord Alfred Douglas ruined his reputation and devastated his private life. Oscar chronicles the acclaimed writer’s trial and imprisonment for “the love that dare not speak its name.” As Wilde, David Daniels electrifies the stage with a “mix of arrogance and vulnerability” (The New York Times). Philadelphia favorite William Burden and soprano Heidi Stober, in her company debut, costar as Wilde's loyal friends. Dwayne Croft stars as Wilde’s friend and supporter, Walt Whitman. A mixture of haunting music, Wildean witticisms, and operatic virtuosity, the East Coast Premiere of Oscar celebrates the life and love of one of literature’s most daring voices. Participating students a...

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'...

Students in the Opera Philadelphia's Sounds of Learning program saw Verdi's Nabucco  at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia on September 25th, 2013. This production of Nabucco travels back in time to bring us to the premiere of Nabucco at the La Scala opera house in Italian during the turbulent times of 1842, when Italy was not a unified country yet, and the Italian states were ruled mostly by Austrians. The students saw chorus and extras dressed as 19th century Italian stagehands and dressers, and Austrian patrons and soldiers used as an integral part of the staging of the opera to make them feel like they were witnessing the first showing of this opera in 1842. The dramatic warrior princess Abaigaille, played by the Hungarian singer Csilla Borross, captivated students with her callous and evil nature, and eventual repentance in the last act. The characters in Nabucco are very dynamic and they each change in their own way from good to evil from one act to the next! It...

Students in the Opera Philadelphia's Sounds of Learning program saw Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's  The Magic Flute  at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia on April 17, 2013. The character Papageno enchanted the almost 2,000 students who enthusiastically cheered on the character, as sung by baritone Mark Stone in a memorable afternoon at the Academy of Music. 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, and the school you attend. 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't forget to support your opinion in 50 words or more! Thanks!

Students in the Opera Philadelphia's Sounds of Learning program saw Kevin Puts and Mark Campbell's Pulitzer Prize-winning opera Silent Night at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia on February 6, 2013. The opera's riveting battle sequence, soaring orchestra, and compelling story kept students glued to their seats in eager anticipation of what would happen next. 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, and the school you attend. Tell us what you liked about the story, the sets, your favorite character, or your favorite scene, the battle sequence, and more. Don't forget to support your opinion in 50 words or more! Thanks!

Students in the Opera Company of Philadelphia's Sounds of Learning program saw Puccini's La bohème at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia on September 26, 2012. Participating students are encouraged to post their reviews here on the blog. All reviews will be accepted, just make sure to include your first name, grade, and the school you attend. Tell us what you liked about the story, the sets, your favorite character, or your favorite. scene. Don't forget to support your opinion in 50 words or more! Thanks!

RANDOM ACTS OF CULTURE HIT THE STREETS You may be familiar with the Opera Company of Philadelphia 's Random Acts of Culture - sometimes popularly known as "flash mobs". The Opera Company has been busy over the past few weeks performing several Random Acts in locations across the city and putting smiles on faces! These performances are part of 1,000 Random Acts of Culture taking place nationally during a three-year period funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Knight Foundation's Random Acts of Culture bring artists out of the concert hall and into the streets and our everyday lives.  We've done random acts in Reading Terminal Market ,  Macy's locations throughout Philadelphia, the Please Touch Museum , Independence National Historical Park , the Free Library of Philadelphia , and many more. Over the past month, we hit two of Philadelphia's most visited locations: Geno's Steaks and IKEA.   A true destination lo...

Manon Lescaut - What Did You Think? Greetings students and teachers. Thank you all again for your great behavior and enthusiastic response to Manon Lescaut yesterday. Thanks, too, to those of you who instinctively tweeted about the opera! We're thrilled that you did so! If you want to remember what the curtain call was like, we filmed it and put it on YouTube . Now's your chance to tell us what you thought about the opera. Write your reviews here! How were the sets and costumes? Did the singers convince you in their parts? What was your favorite part? Was the story believable and why? Don't forget to support your opinions! Please include your first name, school, and your grade in order for your review to be accepted. Just click on the comments link below and post your review. You can select the "anonymous" profile identity to post the review. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts here!

Controlled by Fate: Manon Lescaut’s Story Theme The world of literature and storytelling is often narrowed down to a list of about 12 basic themes , of which the “Controlled by Fate” is on all those lists. Greek tragedies fit into this category. The story theme: There is a force guiding our lives over which we have no control; our lives are pre-determined and unalterable. Stories, like Manon Lescaut , tell how people go to great lengths to alter the outcome—even changing course, trying to back track to undo the mistakes they’ve made. But nothing can be done to alter her tragic destiny. She does everything in her power to block the future disaster. But it’s to no avail. And the opera outcomes are heart wrenching to watch: Tosca throws herself off the castle wall. Butterfly ends her life with a dagger. The Carmelite nuns go to the guillotine. Lucia goes mad, murders her bridegroom, and dies. Aida is entombed with her lover, Radames. Manon enters the opera as a beautiful young woman,...

A “Bad Boy”: Anyone want to marry him?” Giacomo Puccini always seemed to be in trouble! He worried his mother nearly to death. It took him 5 years to complete the usual 4-year elementary school studies. One of his music teachers wrote that he was “…a scamp, lazy, disrespectful, and untalented.” At age 14 he earned money by playing the piano in taverns and the organ at church on Sundays. Once when he needed money, he stole some of the organ pipes and sold them—and then played around the missing pipes, so that no one would know what he did. At age 27 he fell in love with Elvira, a married woman. It was a stormy relationship. He was far from a model ‘husband’ or provider. Elvira went on hunger strikes and often physically attacked him. Over the years he had countless affairs. They had to move frequently because he always fell behind in paying the rent. In 1903 he had two serious auto accidents from driving too fast. After Elvira’s legal husband died, she insisted Puccini marry her. About...

Stop the Presses! Emerging Artist Steps into Lead Role Michelle Johnson , a 4th year resident artist at Philadelphia’s Academy of Vocal Arts , will sing the title role of the Opera Company of Philadelphia ’s production of Manon Lescaut replacing the previously announced soprano, who is indisposed.Link This is one of those rare opportunities that students dream about: to step into the spotlight and sing the lead at Philadelphia’s Academy of Music . Plan to attend and experience the excitement as she makes her first entrance on stage! Michelle was born in Pearland, Texas (a suburb of Houston). Her biography is full of honors. Last year she was the Grand Prize Winner at the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. She also won First Place at the Marian Anderson Historical Scholars’ Competition—right here in Philadelphia. In years to come, remember the name Michelle Johnson. Some day, you’ll be able to say, “I was at the Academy of Music in April 2012 and I remember when she had...

She dies in his arms—while singing, of course! Talk about drama and anguish! The student Des Grieux sees a beautiful young country maiden (Manon) on her way to a convent against her will (sent there by her father). In the matter of minutes Des Grieux and Manon see one another, sing, and fall deeply in love. Deeply! Before they can do anything about it, an old man also sees her stunning beauty—and plans to abduct her. The student tricks the old man and the young lovers run off to Paris before the abduction can occur. Manon likes Paris and soon finds that her young boyfriend can’t give her all the clothes and jewels she wants, so she leaves him for the old man and his money. Then she tires of him and returns to the young dude, only to be tricked by the old man and tossed in prison. Her punishment: banished to Louisiana (in the USA). The lover joins her on the boat and in Louisiana they take a wrong turn and cross a desert. The boyfriend goes to look for water. Manon’s body is wasted fr...

Celebrating the Leap Year! For today's Opera Online session we'll celebrate the birth of the great Italian composer Gioacchino Rossini , born on February 29, 1792, American soprano Reri Grist who was born on that day, and the debut of Meyerbeer's grand opera Les Huguenots on February 29, 1836. Gioachino Rossini, born in Italy 220 years ago (February 29, 1792), began his musical ca reer at age 6 playing the triangle in his father’s musical group. To earn money as a child, he began working in a blacksmith shop. However, because he had a beautiful voice, at age 10 he joined the adult church choir--and from that point his musical career began in earnest. He wrote 39 operas, the most famous of which is the comic opera The Barber of Seville , which he wrote in 12 days. The Rabbit of Seville cartoon as Bugs Bunny cuts Elmer Fudd’s hair to the opera’s music. Here's the popular American baritone Thomas Hampson singing Figaro's famous aria from The Barber of Seville, the ...

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 Mozart's The Abduction from the Seraglio on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at the Academy of Music. Now that you've spent time using the study guides, reading through the libretto, hearing the music in class and attending the final dress rehearsal, tell us what you thought about the opera! In at least 50 words, write your review! All reviews must include your first name, your school name, and your grade. Don't forget to tell us why you liked or didn't like the opera. Support your position! You can talk about the sets, costumes, the characters, and the movie clips used in the piece. Did you like that the stage jutted out over the orchestra pit? What was the funniest moment? Share your thoughts here and you can be a published blogger! Opera on the Air! On Saturday, February 18th at 1 PM radio station WRTI will br...