DA CORNETO OPERA TRIO
Guinevere Tiffin, Soprano             Jeffrey Burish, Tenor         Nick Gutierrez, Piano 

PREPARATION FOR THEIR APPEARANCE IN YOUR SCHOOL

Program Description

Da Corneto Opera in the Classroom consists of singers who love opera & want to introduce your class to this amazing and unique art form. During this session, we will address the key elements and characteristics that make opera unique.  Through discussion, performance, and student participation, classes will gain a broader knowledge, appreciation, and understanding of this special art form.

Terms:

 Musical excerpts (in preparation for our visit; actual selections performed are subject to change)

• “Habanera” from Carmen – Bizet (ex. of an aria, mezzo soprano, chorus)
• “Toreador Song” from Carmen – Bizet (ex. of an aria, baritone/bass, chorus)
• “La donna e mobile” from Rigoletto - Verdi (ex. of an aria, tenor)
• “Quando m’en vo” from La Bohème – Puccini (ex. of an aria, soprano)
• “Flower Duet” from Lakme – Delibes (ex. of a duet, soprano & mezzo-soprano)
• “Chi mi frena” from Lucia di Lammermoor – Donizetti (ex. of an ensemble)
• “è Susanna non vien. . . Dove sono” from Le Nozze di Figaro – Mozart (ex. of recitative, aria, soprano)

GUIDELINE QUESTIONS FOR FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSION:

Q: What voice types were heard in today’s concert?
A: (subject to change)   

Q: What are two major characteristics that make opera different from other concerts and vocal performances?
A: There are no microphones, the audience is quiet and listening (as opposed to a rock concert where they would be singing along and shouting), the entire show is sung.

Q: What is the difference between a soprano & mezzo-soprano? A Tenor & Bass?
A: Soprano and Tenor voices are higher “pitched” than a Mezzo and a Bass.  They are also typically cast in specific roles, ie. Sopranos & Tenors are typically the hero/heroine, or play younger characters.  Mezzos and basses typically play older characters, villains, etc. 

Q: What is the difference between an aria and a duet? 
A: An Aria is a solo piece for one person, duets have two people singing.

Q: What is the role of the chorus?
A: The chorus plays the villagers or other characters that support the soloists & comment on the actions.  The chorus usually sings together. 

GUIDELINES FOR STUDENT FEEDBACK

Questions/topics for journaling:
   “When I think of opera, I. . . . “
   “Classical music and operatic songs are the same/different from what I hear on the radio because. . .”
   “If I wrote an opera, I would call it. . . . ."
   “Listening to opera makes me want to. . . . .”

Debate Topic:  Pop performers singing arias - Can we call it opera? 
   Listen or watch a version of “Nessun Dorma” on youtube.  (I would recommend finding a recording by Franco Corelli, Luciano Pavoratti, or Jonas Kaufman).

   Now, on youtube, find Aretha Franklin’s  performance of “Nessun Dorma” at the Grammy’s.  

   Divide the class into 2 groups.  Have one group be in favor of considering this a legitimate operatic performance, and the other against. 

   Using proper form and etiquette, hold a debate in your class discussing the art form, and the legitimacy of the performance.