Discussion Topics
The Magic Flute|
The Mikado | The
Daughter of the Regiment
Some discussion topics after seeing
The Magic Flute might be:
- Were the performances enjoyable? Why or why not?
- Who was your favorite/least favorite singer? Were they believable
in their role?
- Who was your favorite/least favorite character? Why?
- How did the music reveal the characters’ thoughts and
emotions?
- Was the story told well? What was your favorite part of the
story? Why?
- Was there a hero or heroine in these operas? Why or why not?
- Is The Magic Flute a story that could happen today? Explain.
- Would you risk your life for someone you loved? Discuss.
- Do you believe in supernatural powers that help or hurt people?
Why or why not?
- Could Tamino have triumphed without the Magic Flute using
just courage alone?
- Was Papageno smart of dumb to just want a simple life? Explain.
- Is it human nature to be scared of things you don’t
understand or to be curious?
- What was the ultimate prize for Tamino and Pamina? For Papageno
and Papagena?
- Is suicide ever an acceptable solution to one’s problems?
Discuss.
- In Magic Flute, what were the main things that made life
happy and productive? List.
Some discussion topics after seeing The
Mikado might be:
- Was the performance enjoyable? Why or why not?
- Were the characters believable? Were their depictions true
to life?
- Did the music help to reveal the characters’ feelings
and emotions? How?
- Did the singers give good musical performances? Why or why
not?
- Who was your favorite/least favorite character? Explain.
- Was the story plausible? Could it really have happened? Why
or why not?
- Was Nanki-Poo right to run away from Katisha? Why or why not?
- Can a person ever really run away from their destiny? Discuss.
- Is there any reason to ever marry someone you don’t
love? Why or why not?
- Have you ever been caught in a lie? What did you do? Explain.
- Is it always better to face the truth even when it’s
scary? Discuss.
- What are your best options if you can’t be with the
one you love? Explain.
- Is it easy to forgive someone who has lied to you? Should
you forgive?
- Do you believe capital punishment is ever justified? Discuss.
- Has Japan’s culture changed for better or worse since
the Mikado’s time?
Some discussion topics after seeing The
Daughter of theRegiment might be:
- Was the performance enjoyable? Why or why not?
- Who was your favorite/least favorite singer? Were they believable
in their role?
- Who was your favorite/least favorite character? Why?
- How did the music reveal the characters’ thoughts and
emotions?
- Was the story told well? What was your favorite part of the
story? Why?
- Was there a hero or heroine in this opera? Why or why not?
- Can one choose to fall in love with someone or does it just
happen? Explain.
- Is it natural to fall for someone who saved your life? Why
or why not?
- Should Marie have married a man she didn’t love to please
her mother? Why?
- Was it right to try and persuade Marie to leave her regiment?
Why or why not?
- Should you listen to the advice of others or always follow
your own heart?
- Would Marie have learned to be happy as a wealthy noblewoman?
Discuss.
- Shouldn’t a parent want the best for a child regardless
of what the child wants?
- Is it more important to do one’s duty or to seek one’s
own happiness?
- Is military life the right place for women? Should women be
in combat situations?
Opera for Beginners - expanded content
What
is Opera?
What's it all about?
- The stories behind the Opera
Opera Terms
Common Questions
Discussion Topics
The Composer - A Historical
Context
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