Education

OPERAMANIA, designed to meet core-curriculum needs, is a lively performance which introduces students of all ages to the wild world of Opera. This fully-staged and costumed production blurs the line between education and entertainment. Created by Douglas Kinney Frost, Syracuse Opera’s Director of Music, OPERAMANIA appeared for two seasons on PBS and has been featured by opera companies across the country in thousands of performances. Opera highlights include: The Magic Flute, Cinderella, Carmen, Porgy and Bess, and La Bohème. Ideally suited for grades K-7, this 40-minute presentation leaves its audience informed and inspired.

Barrio Bohème is an urban retelling of Puccini’s operatic masterpiece. This new 40-minute, fully-staged and costumed presentation features Act III of La Bohème set in multi-lingual1960’s Spanish Harlem. Four star-crossed lovers work through issues of jealousy, betrayal and true love. Included in the project is a study of urban visual art forms, including graffi ti and protest art. Students connect to the classic themes of the opera expressed in accessible, modern mediums. Perfect for grades 8 and above.

Opera Up Close - Focused to inspire grades 7-12, Opera Up Close offers groups an intimate opportunity to converse with Syracuse Opera’s talented, rising stars. The discussion focuses on issues of career and life coaching with an emphasis on the performing arts. Topics include education, mentorship, arts in the 21st century, connecting to technology, balancing career and family, and professional conduct. Truly a living classroom, the presentation includes performance opportunities from both sides of the footlights. Topics of the presentation can even be focused to meet specific group needs.

Opera Scholars - Syracuse Opera offers a unique immersion experience to high school juniors and seniors interested in pursuing a career in the performing arts. Three scholars are chosen for each of our mainstage productions; they are paired with a professional mentor for the ultimate insider’s view. Students attend rehearsals closed to the public and receive a score and CD of the opera. Inspired by their operatic experience, they create a project specifi c to their discipline. The program is open to all budding vocalists and actors, set and costume designers, conductors and directors, and students interested
in technical theater. This highly competitive program is the perfect boost for college applications and resume building.

Above programs are availble September 15 - November 12, 2008, & February 23 - April 18, 2009.
The above are fully-funded programs off ered at no cost to your school.

Student Matinee
Romeo & Juliet - March 11, 2009

Romeo & Juliet will mark the sixth annual student matinee performance that enables students to experience a live opera. This will be a fully staged production with a cast of hundreds including the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra and Syracuse Opera main-stage performers. The performance will be presented during the school day. Prior to the performance, we will provide teachers with a comprehensive study guide to assist with preparing their students for this unforgettable experience. The performance will be sung in French with projected English translations, making it easy for all audience members to understand and enjoy this dramatic opera.

Syracuse Opera Ensemble programs Never Tickle A Mule, and The Three Little Pigs will aslo be available throughout the year. To book any of these programs please call Jon English at (315) 475-5915.