For Elementary Schools: Opera Antics!!

Intended Audience: 20-40 children, grades one through five
Approximate running time: 45 minutes
Personnel: Soprano, tenor, pianist, host

"Opera Antics!" has been awarded the Colorado Governor's Arts Award and is Knoxville Opera's most popular outreach program. It is a fast-paced, highly interactive introduction to opera for first-timers. The program begins with Rossini's "Cat Duet," after which the host asks questions of the students (i.e. what the duet was about, what language it was sung in, and how were they able to understand what was happening.) The host then initiates a brief, interactive lesson on the different aspects of an opera production, (for example, the sets and costumes). The tenor then sings a popular aria, employing two volunteers as his scene partners. The soprano follows with an aria from Gilbert and Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore . She also uses two volunteers, creating an engaging scene, and furthering the notion of participation from the young students.

After these two numbers the real participatory fun begins. It's time to produce an opera! In a burst of energy from the presenters, the kids audition, rehearse and perform a miniature "barnyard" opera right in their classroom. The kids don't sing--the adults to that. But they get involved in every other aspect of the "production," including auditioning for, and finally pantomiming, the roles of Mr. and Mrs. Goose, Mr. and Mrs. Farmer and Mr. and Mrs. Fox, as well as playing the roles of scenery, sound effects, conductor, chorus, props and audience! Kids respond very positively to this program, which engages them within the first thirty seconds and keeps them compelled until they all take their final bows in their in their own classroom.

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Photos and student drawings from Opera Antics:

Knoxville Opera Studio Artist, Crystal Stroupe performing with the assistance of students from Dandridge Elementary students

Dear Knoxville Opera and Dr. Lee,
I had a very good time at your opera. I do not know how you do it but you are a very good teacher. On day you can come back and do some more stuff with us. I can tell you that we had fun. May be one day you will be my teacher. And I will be as good as you.
January Bomar, 5 th grader at Chilhowee Intermediate

Dear Knoxville Opera and Dr. Lee,
Thank you for coming to show us a real live Oprea. I really enjoyed being Mrs. Goose. Jhon and Darla where great actors and singers. You guys got me really interested in Oprea. Now I'm thinking about being an Oprea singer and actor. I really hope you can come back again and again.
Jordan Rose, 5 th grader at Chilhowee Intermediate

Knoxville Opera Studio Artist, Alex Benford, assisting the students of Dandridge Elementary learn their role in Britten's EE-OH


Drawing by a student of Dandridge Elementary

Host, Dr. Lee helping the students of Chilhowee Intermediate audition during an Opera Antics performance

Artwork by Kayla Davisof Chilhowee Intermediate

Knoxville Opera Studio Artist, Gennard Lombardozzi, assisting Mr. and Mrs. Fox of Dandridge Elementary don their costumes

Dear Knoxville Opera and Dr. Lee,
I have bening wanting to tell you this you have made some great opera people also they act like real cats If I would'nt have seen it I would not of belived it Thank you so much for taking your time and doing it for us. When you all came that day my hart was sining with joy especially when you picked me and Josh for a part Thank you all so much
Dustin Murphy, 5 th grader at Chilhowee Intermediate

Dear Knoxville Opera and Dr. Lee,
I am so glad you all came. John and Darla were so good. They were a lot of fun. Dr. Lee did very good at playing the piano. I liked it when they were doing that little opera. I was apart of the towns people. Thank you for coming. It was so funny when they did the cat's. Bravo Bravo!!! Thank you again for coming. Good Luck on your next opera. Good job.
Deonna Frazier, 5 th grader at Chilhowee Intermediate

Available programs:

For Elementary Schools: Opera Antics!

For Middle-High Schools: Hello Operator?

Monday Night Opera

Outreach venues