EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH
TOURING CHILDREN'S OPERA
Together, Piedmont Opera and UNCSA's A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute take opera into elementary schools and other organizations that support children and underserved audiences.
It's true! You can bring The Baker of Seville to your school!
Age Group
Recommended for students in pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade. A teacher packet (pdf) is provided. One printed copy is available upon request.
Duration & Cost
40 minutes, plus a 10-minute Q&A session with the performers for $150 invoiced by PO after the performance. (Limited sponsorships may be available.)
Requirements
An all-purpose room, gymnasium, or auditorium; microphone with a stand; tuned piano or stationary keyboard.
Scheduling
40 minutes, plus a 10-minute Q&A session with the performers for $150 invoiced by PO after the performance. (Limited sponsorships may be available.)
Maria is struggling to get by after her husband leaves to join the army and never returns. Left on her own to raise her two
children, Jennifer and Tommy, she does everything she can to provide for them, but times are hard and the family is often
hungry.
One day, desperate to feed her children, Maria steals a loaf of bread from Enrico the baker. When he catches her, she
doesn't deny what she has done. Instead, she explains her situation and begs him to let her keep the bread for her
children. Touched by her honesty and her devotion to her family, Enrico immediately falls in love with her and wants to
help her however he can.
The problem is that Maria is already in love with Antonio, a handsome young tenor. While Enrico tries to win her affection,
Maria remains devoted to Antonio, creating plenty of complications along the way.
As the story unfolds, Maria tells Enrico about a brother she lost many years ago. Through a series of surprising
discoveries and comic misunderstandings, Enrico begins to realize that he is actually that long-lost brother. The revelation
changes everything. Instead of being Maria's suitor, Enrico becomes the brother she thought she had lost forever.
In the end, everyone gets what they have been hoping for. Enrico is reunited with his family and is able to help support
Maria, Jennifer, and Tommy. Maria no longer has to worry about where her next meal will come from, and she is finally
free to marry Antonio. The story ends happily with love, family, and a long-awaited reunion bringing everyone together
People Loved Last Year's Production of
Jack and the Beanstalk!
FAQ
What time will the performers arrive? After morning drop-off is complete
Do the performers need time to set up? Yes, they need 30-40 minutes to set up and warm up their voices.
What times are available? Between 8:30-10:30 am. The earliest start time is 8:30 (with a 7:45 arrival). The latest start time is 10:30 (with a 9:45 arrival).
How long is the performance? 40 minutes plus a 10-minute Q&A session (55-minutes total)
What is the room requirement? All-purpose room, gymnasium, or auditorium
What equipment is needed? Microphone with a stand and a tuned piano or stationary keyboard
Excerpts from Jack and the Beanstalk
Meet the Cast
These hard-working, talented, and dedicated performers are graduate level students of the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute of UNCSA working on professional degrees in opera. Once accepted into these highly selective programs, students perform in fully-staged productions of new and established operatic works and participate in touring and outreach programs. Extensive performance experience is enriched by advanced studies in voice, language, diction, operatic literature, acting, movement, stage combat, and career enhancement strategies.
About Our Partnership
The A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute is an Academic Institute of Higher Education, and Piedmont Opera is a nonprofit professional opera company. Both organizations collaborate to bring you this educational program. We invite our patrons and donors to become engaged in supporting this traveling opera. A gift at any level helps keep the arts in schools and exposes elementary students to opera while teaching important moral lessons. Teachers receive a comprehensive packet filled with pre- and post-show information and activities that align with NC teaching standards to take students from exposure to comprehension. If you would like to help support this partnership or sponsor a school, please contact Piedmont Opera at info@piedmontopera.org or 336.725.7101.