RSS 2.0 FeedJune 29, 2011, Local Arts News
Youths to spend two weeks learning the art of Opera
“Opera camp is an opportunity for young people of all ages to experience the music and drama of opera in a stimulating and fun setting,” Paula Winans, Director of Education with the Lyric Opera, notes. “Our campers will learn to sing music from 'Turandot' in Italian, as well as work with professional opera singers, designers and directors to perform in 'Hansel and Gretel.'
The Lyric Opera of Kansas City will host its annual Summer Opera Camp for area youths from Monday, July 25 through Friday, August 5. Students, ages 9–18, meet daily, Mon–Fri, for two weeks to participate in music and theatre workshops and opera learning activities at the Lyric Theatre.
Participants will study vocal technique and learn how to sing in Italian. They will also participate in theater workshops with professional opera singers that teach the basics of creating realistic characters with believable emotions. Activities will center around the music, time period and action of the Lyric Opera upcoming production of Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot, which will be the Company’s inaugural production at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. A select group of campers will be chosen to sing onstage in the children’s chorus in the October production of Turandot. Additionally, campers will rehearse music for both a choral recital and an original production of the 45-minute family opera Hansel and Gretel.
Hansel and Gretel is an operatic adaption of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale by Paula Winans, Lyric Opera Director of Education, and her son, Joe Winans. The music of the opera contains influences from great operas, including Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Donizetti’s L’Eliser d’Amore, and Gounod’s Faust and Romeo and Juliet. The themes of personal safety, survival, self-reliance and teamwork run throughout the production. Two youths playing the title roles will perform with a chorus of campers and three adult professional singers.
“Opera camp is an opportunity for young people of all ages to experience the music and drama of opera in a stimulating and fun setting,” Paula Winans, Director of Education, notes. “Our campers will learn to sing music from Turandot in Italian, as well as work with professional opera singers, designers and directors to perform in Hansel and Gretel. Best of all, they’ll leave camp with a love for a wonderful new art form and with a lot of new friendships.”
Hansel and Gretel will be presented on Friday, Aug. 5, 2011 at 2:30 p.m. at the Lyric Theatre. Seats can be purchased prior to August 5 by contacting Mackenzie Dehmer, education associate, at 816-471-4933. Hansel and Gretel will also be available for touring to schools, libraries, and community centers during the 2011–12 school year. Those interested in taking advantage of this program may contact Paula Winans at 816-471-4933. For details about Lyric Opera education programs, visit www.kcopera.org.
During the first season at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, the Lyric Opera will present Turandot October 1, 5, 7, 9, 2011, Così Fan Tutte November 5, 9, 11, 13, 2011, Nixon in China March 10, 14, 16, 18, 2012 and The Barber of Seville April 21, 25, 27, 29, 2012.
Top Photo: Lyric Opera Camp 2008 production of Three Little Pigs
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