Student Night at the Opera

Educate through experience…allow your students the opportunity to learn about the timeless art form of opera through Manitoba Opera’s Student Night at the Opera. (more...)

Study Guides

  Aida

  Rigoletto   
       
  The Magic Flute Study Guide

          Tosca Study Guide

Carmen Study Guide

The Barber of Seville Study Guide

Madama Butterfly Study Guide

Il Trovatore Study Guide

Così Fan Tutte Study Guide (746 kB)

Don Giovanni Study Guide (644 kB)

The Elixir of Love Study Guide (1.06 MB)

The Marriage of Figaro Study Guide (3.08 MB)

La Boheme Study Guide (3.55 MB)

La Traviata Study Guide (1.98 MB)

Lucia di Lammermoor Study Guide (481 kB)

Otello Backgrounder

Transit of Venus Study Guide (2.4 MB)

Composer Bios

Gaetano Maria Donizetti

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Giacomo Puccini

Johann Strauss, Jr.

Giuseppe Verdi

Synopses

Candide

Cavalleria Rusticana & I Pagliacci

Così Fan Tutte

Don Giovanni

Elixir of Love, The

ll Trovatore (The Troubadour)

Lucia di Lammermoor

Madama Butterfly

Marriage of Figaro, The

Rigoletto

The Librettists

Ludovic Halévy

Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica

Henri Meilhac (1831-1897)

Suggested Opera Books & Articles

Boyden, Matthew. Opera, The Rough Guide, The Rough Guides Ltd, 1997.

Cross, Milton. The Complete Stories of the Great Operas, Doubleday, 1952.

Earl of Harewood, ed. The New Kobbe’s Complete Opera Book, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1976.

Forman, Sir Denis. A Night at the Opera, Random House Weidenfeld and Nicholson, 1994.

Jellinek, George. History Through the Opera Glass, Pro. Am Music Resources, 1994.

Orrey, Leslie (Rodney Milnes ed.). A Concise History of Opera, Thames and Hudson, 1987.

Plotkin, Fred. Opera 101: A Complete Guide to Learning & Loving Opera, Hyperion, 1994.

Sadie, Stanley, ed. The New Grove Dictionary of Opera, Macmillan Press Ltd., 1992.

Simon, Henry. One Hundred Great Operas and Their Stories, Doubleday, 1989.

Stage Management: Theatre's Air Traffic Controllers

Article by Paul Skiryzk, Tosca Stage Manager

Read the complete article here

Before God

Tosca Perspectives Article by Rory Runnells

Read the complete article here

 

Here's What Educators & Students have to Say About Attending Student Night at the Opera

“My Grade 8 Music/Choir class loved attending the Opera "Student Night"! This was a first time and great experience for us all. My students discovered opera and were impressed.”

Annette Hay, Educator,
MBCI

“For many it was their second time going to the opera. They loved it in November so came back. The students got to hear some of Canada’s and the world's best singers. They were introduced to a great art form that helps expand the musical taste buds. Congrats on running a great program!”

Korey Peters, Educator
Garden Valley Collegiate, Winkler

“I just want to say thank you! My student really enjoyed Madama Butterfly. It was a wonderful performance. He would tap my arm at the performance every time he recognized a piece of music... ”

Janet McDougall, Music Educator

“We always have a great time. Everyone is nice & friendly to my students. Every opera is new, beautiful & amazing. I wouldn’t not attend.”

Pam Mason, Special Education
Sisler High School

“One of our field trips this year was to attend Student Night. What a tremendous experience that was! I made good use of your online study guide, which enhanced our visit immensely. See you next year!”

Kathleen Alder, Home Educator

“My students loved the experience. They were all first time opera attendees. Great music, great performances.”

Leigh Brown, Educator
Children of the Earth High School

“Most students who attend one opera are hooked.”

Maryanne Rumancik, Music Educator

“The children are developing an interest in opera. I find it's a very bonding process between a teacher and student.”

Judith Ritchie, Music Educator

“It is great to talk to the students about the whole opera package from music to story to costumes to sets. We love to attend. ”

Megan Strain, Educator
Murdoch MacKay Collegiate

“After a particularly beautiful solo, the student sitting beside me sighed and said, "I'm enthralled"! I loved that!”

Dorothy Schapansky, Music Educator

“The students are blown away by the quality of the production.”

Aaron Klassen, Educator
Shercherko School

“All the students raved about the performance. I so appreciate the opportunity to expose young people to a high standard of artistic performance.”

Elenore Wieler, Educator
Sturgeon Heights

“Going to the opera is a profound, life-changing experience for my students who are all war-affected refugees who have had little opportunity to attend any kind of cultural event here in Winnipeg. The students could "step back" from their difficult lives & enjoy "high drama", beautiful singing, costumes, sets and let this experience transport them to another place & time. ”

Val Pierce, Literacy Program Educator
Grant Park High School

“I applaud the actors again for the wonderful performance that they put on. This opera deserves a 5 out of 5.”

Rachel, Grade 7 Student
Home School

“The music sounded like it just floated together as one instrument and the singers’ voices were absolutely incredible. It almost sounded like magic. In my seat I actually had adrenaline pumping through me. It was an amazing night and I hope to have that experience again.”

Sarah, Grade 8 Student
MBCI

“I loved the set changes in the opera and the lighting job was excellent. The music was beautifully sung. An awesome performance overall!”

Beth, Grade 8 Student
Niverville Collegiate

“I loved the set changes in the opera and the lighting job was excellent. The music was beautifully sung. An awesome performance overall!”

Erin, Student
Nelson McIntyre Collegiate

“The performance provided everything that I would expect from an opera. The voices were clear and full, the orchestra was just the right volume, and the set was magnificent.”

Johnstuart, Student
Nelson McIntyre Collegiate

“My trip to the opera was a lively and new, eye-opening experience. The acting and the power of their voices portrayed a story in a unique way for me and the set was especially appealing and modern.”

Vivika, Student
Nelson McIntyre Collegiate

“I love the power and range of the voices! Formidable talent is required, so I am always in awe of the abilities demonstrated in these performances. I loved the set and lighting.”

David, Student
Nelson McIntyre Collegiate

“I had seen opera being performed on TV and also heard it on CDs but I didn’t understand the full intensity and power of their voices until I was actually sitting in the audience. I loved it and will continue to go to the opera whenever there are performances. ”

Alanna, Student
Nelson McIntyre Collegiate