Baltimore Opera Company Education Programs
Education Resources
Master Classes
The BOC’s expert staff is available to conduct Master Classes with your choir or vocal students. Contact the Education Department for additional information.
Opera Companion and Study Guide
This BOC publication features plot synopses, background notes, articles on culture and history by internationally recognized experts, and other information on all of the 2006-2007 mainstage productions. The accompanying compact disc includes excerpts from each production. The Guide is provided for classroom use to all groups booking docent programs or dress rehearsal passes.
Perspectives Lectures
To enhance your enjoyment of the opera, respected operaphiles provide insight into the opera’s musical significance, composition, and historical context. This lecture series is presented free of charge to anyone holding a ticket to the performance. Lectures are held in the orchestra section of the Lyric and begin one hour prior to each performance.
Opera To Go
Curriculum guides are provided to teachers before each program. Each guide contains background information, discussion points, and suggested classroom activities to enhance students’ enjoyment of the program.
Puppets & Pagliacci
Suggested grades: Pre-K – 2
Length: 30 minutes
Audience Maximum: 250
Cost: $395
An interactive presentation featuring large puppets seen simultaneously with the performers, this program is a wonderful introduction to the essential elements of opera.
NEW THIS YEAR!
The Opera Bears
Suggested grades: Pre-K – 2
Audience Maximum: 250
Length: 30 minutes
Cost: $395
A Grrrrr-reat way to learn about Opera! “Grizzelina” and “Grizzelino” are singing opera bear puppets, and teach young people about opera and how opera productions are created by everyone working together in harmony and cooperation.
Who’s Afraid of Opera?
Suggested grades: 3 – 6
Audience Maximum: 250
Length: 45 minutes
Cost: $395
More in-depth than Puppets & Pagliacci, this program presents performances in a variety of languages and styles. Student volunteers become supernumeraries, involving them in opera in a very personal way.
NEW THIS YEAR!
Opera Games
Suggested grades: 3 - 6
Audience Maximum: 250
Length: 45 minutes
Cost: $395
Two singers and a pianist/moderator learn that opera can be fun by playing several interactive “games”, including “Aria Ready?” about how opera singers sing solos, and “Duet Yourself!” about how two singers sing and stage duets.
The Three Billy Goats Gruff
Music by Mozart, Donizetti and Rossini; arranged by John Davies
Suggested grades: Pre-K – 5
Audience Maximum: 250
Length: 40 minutes
Cost: $695
The familiar story of The Billy Goats Guff, but with an important moral of tolerance for those who are different and the need to be kind to others.
A Legacy of Hope: The Marian Anderson Story
Suggested grades: 6 – 12
Audience Maximum: 500
Length: 40 minutes
Cost: $395
A celebration and tribute to the first African-American singer to perform at the Metropolitan Opera. This program explores the turbulent history of the Civil Rights Movement while presenting the wide variety of styles in Marian Anderson’s repertoire, including spirituals, art songs, and opera excerpts.
Leontyne Price: A Hope Fulfilled
Suggested grades: 6 – 12
Audience Maximum: 500
Length: 40 minutes
Cost: $395
A presentation featuring the life and accomplishments of soprano Leontyne Price, and her impact on contemporary African-American singers.
Student Dress Rehearsals
A limited number of Dress Rehearsal passes for the Baltimore Opera Company’s main stage productions are available to classes and student groups. Dress Rehearsals take place at the Lyric Opera House with full orchestra, costumes, lighting, and stage effects. All Dress Rehearsals feature English translations projected above the stage, so you won’t miss a word.
Giuseppe Verdi’s
La Forza del Destino
October 4, 2007
Gaetano Donizetti’s
Maria Stuarda
November 8, 2007
Charles Gounod’s
Roméo et Juliette
March 27, 2008
Giacomo Puccini’s
Madama Butterfly
May 8, 2008
Opera a la Carte
Is your history class studying a particular era or region? Are you introducing your English students to poetry? Our singers and musicians have expertise in a wide variety of musical periods and styles, and we would be happy to create a custom program to meet your needs.
Docent Programs
Opera experts are available to visit your classroom and provide customized presentations on various aspects of opera. These programs, which are available for a nominal fee, are intended for individual classrooms. We request that the coordinating teacher be present.
For more information about our Education Programs, contact James Harp, Artistic Administrator at 410-625-1600 x306 or email at jharp@baltimoreopera.com.
The Baltimore Opera Company is supported by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency funded by the State of Maryland and the National Endowment for the Arts; the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore; and the Baltimore County Commission on Arts and Sciences.
This program is made possible in part through sponsorship of the Baltimore County Executive, County Council, and the Commission on Arts and Sciences.