Children’s Opera Offers Students Unique Way of Dealing with Real World Issues
Tue, 03/16/2021 - 06:06pm | By: Van Arnold
Continuing the tradition of bringing the world of opera to students, Opera Mississippi
is proud to present this year’s outreach program, available online for access both
in the classroom and at home.
Produced in partnership with the Southern Opera and Musical Theatre Company (SOMTC) at The University of Southern Mississippi, Billy Goats Gruff debuted on March 12 at Opera Mississippi’s website, https://www.operams.org/
This fun, 30-minute children’s opera allows audiences the opportunity to watch a classic fairytale story come alive. With an available version incorporating the use of American Sign Language for the hearing impaired, it also uses puppets to teach a powerful lesson.
Featuring the music of Mozart, Donizetti, and Rossini, composer John Davies' operatic adaptation of the classic fairy tale, The Billy Goats Gruff, takes a familiar story and adds a strong, anti-bullying message that promotes the power of kindness.
“Elementary school teachers, school administrative leadership, and especially parents should consider this opportunity in letting their students and children see and hear this amusing story,” said Jay Dean, Artistic Director of Opera Mississippi. “This opera, which has been graciously sponsored by the William Herin Foundation, allows young children the opportunity to hear both classic tunes known around the world as well as learning a powerful lesson about bullying.”
Harlan Mapp, SOMTC production manager, is hopeful that because this year’s opera is virtual, it can reach even more students than in years past.
“These student outreach productions are very important, not only to help students hear this worldly music, but also to learn these important lessons that stay with us for the rest of our lives” said Mapp.
For more information on this concert and the rest of the Opera Mississippi season, visit operams.org or call 601.960.2300
About Opera Mississippi
Celebrating their 75th Anniversary, the Mississippi Opera Association, founded in 1945, is a founding member of the national Opera America organization, the ninth oldest continuously operating opera company in the United States, and Mississippi’s only professional opera company. Among the remarkable singers that have graced Opera Mississippi stage, are internationally known Beverly Sills, Monserrat Caballe, Robert Merrill, James McCracken, Roberta Peters, Jan Peerce, Richard Tucker, Normal Treigle, John Alexander, Renée Fleming and many others.