PALM SPRINGS OPERA GUILD PRESENTS: 

FIRST ANNUAL STUDENT OUTREACH PROGRAM 

Our OPERASSEMBLIES were enjoyed by nearly 1,000 Coachella Valley students in the 3^rd through 6^th grade last June (the last week of school before summer break!).

Each student left the assembly with a new-found love of one of the oldest art forms, singing theatre (OPERA)!  We received many accolades from local press, teachers, administrators and especially our target students!

Students learned the following concepts about OPERA in each 45 minute lecture/demonstration (One piano accompanist/music director and four professional opera singers did the teaching...with a little bit of help from PSOG Educational Outreach Coordinator, Andrew Eisenmann, as emcee for each OPERASSEMBLY): 

WHAT IS OPERA? – An opera is a story that is sung from start to finish.  Since opera became popular in European Countries, it is usually performed in tis’ original language.  This story is sung, and also told by the use of costumes, sets, lights, acting, stage combat and ballet.  It is the most multi-faceted of all of the art forms.  

LANGUAGES – Typical opera languages are:

a.       Italian

b.      German

c.       French

d.      Russian

e.       English

a.       Spanish Opera is called Zarzuela

 VOICE TYPES – Just like our speaking voices, each singing voice is different and it has its own strengths.  Operatic voices are grouped into 6 general types (going from highest sounding to lowest sounding): 

a.       Soprano

b.      Mezzo Soprano

c.       Contralto

d.      Tenor

e.       Baritone

f.        Bass

 RECITATIVE – This is how we ‘talk’ in opera.  Children participated in the ‘Let’s Make A Recitative’ in their OPERASSEMBLY...parents, be sure to ask them to teach you how to make one too! 

 BRAVO, BRAVA, BRAVI!

 In addition to all of this information, the students heard 5 arias, two duets and a quartet...got to sing along, and some even got to participate in Lauretta’s famous “O Mio Babbino, Caro”, from Gianni Schicchi (and what fun to have a 3^rd grade Gianni Schicchi!).