PROGRAM GUIDE 2017-2018 Over 80 Years of STORIES ACCESS OPERA
TABLE OF CONTENTS Please carefully review all sections of the 2017-2018 Access Opera Program Guide and involve participating colleagues in organizing your school s rehearsal experience. page 2 ABOUT ACCESS OPERA page 2 REPRESENTATIVE EXPECTATIONS page 3 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES page 4 VISITING THE MET page 5 REGISTRATION AND REHEARSAL REQUESTS page 7 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS page 10 ACCESS OPERA RESOURCES page 10 ACCESS OPERA STAFF page 11 ACCESS OPERA: BEYOND THE STAGE
ABOUT ACCESS OPERA Going beyond the ordinary field trip experience, Access Opera introduces students to live opera performances and provides teachers with resources for drawing connections across literature, social studies, foreign language, and the arts. As part of their participation in the program, each school receives the opportunity to attend a final dress rehearsal at the Metropolitan Opera. A final dress rehearsal is the final run-through rehearsal before opening night. Additionally, each Access Opera teacher representative is encouraged to attend one of the professional development options provided by the Metropolitan Opera Guild, and each representative must also complete the program end-of-year reflection form. REPRESENTATIVE EXPECTATIONS Each Access Opera school must designate a teacher representative to serve as a liaison to the Metropolitan Opera Guild. The Guild will work directly with this individual to coordinate and communicate all aspects of program participation. Representatives are expected to do the following: Select an opera suitable for their students study and core curriculum. Attend rehearsal(s) and/or performance(s), sitting with and supervising students. Be responsible for the behavior and welfare of students at all times while inside the opera house. Select capable parent/teacher chaperones and clearly communicate program expectations to them. Ensure that at least one teacher responsible for student instruction related to the opera experience attends one or more professional development opportunities offered by the Metropolitan Opera Guild. Complete and submit the end-of-year reflection form, to be distributed by Guild staff in May 2018. Maintain communication with Guild staff regarding the Access Opera program. Notify the Guild of any changes in school or representative status. 2
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES As participants in the Access Opera program, students, teachers, administrators, parents, and other members of the school community are part of a group of over 14,000 individuals who attend Metropolitan Opera dress rehearsals. A variety of materials and resources are provided, and policies and procedures are in place to ensure a meaningful experience for all involved. MATERIALS DISTRIBUTION TIMELINE June/July: Program registration begins August 1, 2017: REGISTRATION DEADLINE - complimentary ticket requests will not be accepted after this time. Early August: Final dress rehearsal confirmations sent with accompanying information. Four to six weeks prior to rehearsal: Tickets, additional rehearsal material (cast information, etc.), and A Guide for Educators packet will be sent to attending school groups. An email confirmation regarding the mailing will be sent to representatives of attending school groups. CANCELLATION POLICY The Metropolitan Opera Guild must be notified of any scheduling conflicts or cancellations at least six weeks in advance of a scheduled rehearsal attendance date. Cancellations that occur less than six weeks prior to the rehearsal will not be rescheduled, and the membership fee will not be reversed. Upon cancellation, all materials, including tickets, must be returned to the Guild within five business days, and all use of complimentary materials must be discontinued. Failure to return materials will result in a fine equal to the combined list price of these materials. Should any matter or condition beyond the reasonable control of either party prevent delivery of Access Opera services, such as emergency weather conditions, school closings, school emergencies, and Metropolitan Opera cancellations, this policy may be terminated or suspended. ATTENDANCE POLICY The Metropolitan Opera Guild is proud to serve over 14,000 students and teachers across six states. It is our goal to provide opportunities to diverse communities from varying geographic and socio-economic areas. We believe it is important for all participating schools to recognize the breadth of reach for the Metropolitan Opera Guild and the Access Opera program. That being said, it is imperative that all students, teachers, administrators, parents, and other members of the school community are familiar with the Metropolitan Opera House Rules and Responsibilities prior to visiting the Opera House. While the Metropolitan Opera Guild is not in the practice of terminating partnerships with schools, failure to comply with the outlined rules and responsibilities may result in a limiting of future participation. 3
VISITING THE MET Please carefully review each item and contact Guild staff (listed on page 10) with any questions or concerns. It is important to also review and follow the Access Opera Teacher Representative expectations (listed on page 2). Groups are expected to arrive in the lobby area of the opera house no later than one hour prior to the start of the rehearsal. When you arrive at the opera house, please send a representative to check-in at the Education table on the far left side of the lobby area. A Met Opera Guild representative will confirm your group s attendance before you proceed into the main area of the house. Latecomers will not be allowed inside the auditorium until after intermission. If available, late groups may be seated in List Hall (where subtitles are not available). Large groups should wait outside the opera house (weather permitting) until congestion in the lobby is relieved. All students should receive their individual tickets prior to entering the opera house lobby to ensure an orderly and efficient entrance. Metropolitan Opera ushers will assist schools with seating inside the opera house. One adult chaperone per every 10 students in attendance is required, regardless of the age/grade of students. Please be sure that chaperone seats are evenly dispersed amongst students. Proper clapping etiquette should be addressed prior to the rehearsal. Clapping should occur only after the orchestra has stopped playing. Students should be reminded that talking and noise-making is a distraction to their fellow audience members and the performers. Most rehearsals include at least one intermission, during which students are permitted and encouraged to eat lunch. NOTE: No food is available for purchase at the opera house. Students should bring lunches in disposable bags, and all lunches should be packed in a single container (a large box or large trash bag is recommended), clearly labeled with the school name. Food is not allowed inside the auditorium; during the performance, lunch containers should be placed in the area designated for each school group. Students must be accompanied by a teacher or adult chaperone at all times, including during intermissions. Those who leave the auditorium during a performance will not be permitted to re-enter until intermission. In scheduling transportation back to your school, allow at least 30 minutes leeway in the length of the performance. As these are rehearsals, the conductor and/or stage manager may pause or stop to make adjustments during or after the performance. Should your group need to leave early, please notify Guild staff prior to the rehearsal. Any changes in a school s attendance status should be communicated to the Guild immediately, and no less than six weeks before scheduled attendance. Please see the cancellation policy on page 3 for more information. 4
REGISTRATION AND REHEARSAL REQUESTS The registration and rehearsal request process will again be conducted via online form. The link to the 2017-2018 Access Opera Registration and Rehearsal Request Form is found here: http://www.metguild.org/accessoperaregme1 Also included on this page are synopses for all available dress rehearsal offerings, as well as the form for making rehearsal requests for additional groups. Please follow the directions below to register for the 2017-18 Access Opera program and make your rehearsal requests. Please be sure to read all instructions thoroughly, and complete all sections to the best of your ability. Access the online form at http://www.metguild.org/accessoperaregme1 Input your School and Representative information, as prompted. To ensure that we have correct information on file, we ask that you complete all fields as requested. Indicate your final dress rehearsal choices for attendance this season, as well as the number of tickets you would like to request for each rehearsal. Thoroughly review the Final Dress Rehearsal and Membership Cancellation Policy, and type your name next to Signature, which will serve as your agreement to the policy terms. The Date field will be automatically filled in with the date. Indicate anything else you d like us to know in the Notes section. Click Submit at the bottom of the page to submit your Access Opera registration and rehearsal requests. If you do not click this button, we will not receive your form. Upon receipt, you will receive a confirmation email that will include a copy of your registration and rehearsal request form. 5
Rehearsal Offerings Oct 30, 2017 10:30 AM PUCCINI Madama Butterfly Contemporary Production Design Dec 11, 2017 11 AM LEHÁR The Merry Widow Y Dec 15, 2017 10:30 AM HUMPERDINCK Hansel and Gretel Y# Jan 12, 2018 11 AM DONIZETTI L Elisir d Amore Y# Apr 9, 2018 10:30 AM MASSENET Cendrillon Y New Met Production Apr 20, 2018 10:30 AM GOUNOD Roméo et Juliette The following keys and symbols are designed to guide your review of rehearsal offerings and help you select the opera best suited for your students and classroom. HISTORICAL ELEMENTS The opera and/or production includes historical references, ranging from settings and time periods to stories or events with historical significance. NOTABLE LITERARY CONNECTIONS The story of the opera is either based on or comes directly from a well-known author or piece of literature. RUN TIME 3 hrs 20 mins SUNG IN Italian AGE LEVEL Middle School+ HISTORICAL ELEMENTS Set against a backdrop of Western imperialism at the turn of the 20th century, Madama Butterfly touches on Japan s growing presence in global affairs and questions the West s exoticized views of foreign cultures. OPERA NOTES When Madama Butterfly premiered at La Scala in Milan, many in the audience rejected it, so Puccini went back and reworked the opera, which today is beloved by opera fans worldwide. RUN TIME 3 hrs SUNG IN English AGE LEVEL All Ages OPERA NOTES While The Merry Widow is technically an operetta, many of the world s leading opera companies have performed this enchanting work since its German-language premiere in Vienna. ON THE LIGHTER SIDE The entirety of The Merry Widow takes place in Paris, but the story is centered on an expatriate widow from the country of Pontevedro a fictional Balkan country bearing intentional resemblance to Montenegro. RUN TIME 2 hrs 15 mins SUNG IN English AGE LEVEL All Ages NOTABLE LITERARY CONNECTIONS The story of Hansel and Gretel had long been part of the German folk tradition before the Brothers Grimm included it in their collection. ON THE LIGHTER SIDE This production of Hansel and Gretel features whimsical settings and characters, all centered on imagery of the kitchen and food. RUN TIME 2 hrs 45 min SUNG IN Italian AGE LEVEL All Ages OPERA NOTES Donizetti s L Elisir d Amore and Lucia di Lammermoor are two of the most popular bel canto operas; from the Italian for beautiful singing, bel canto works feature thrilling displays of vocal virtuosity. ON THE LIGHTER SIDE L Elisir d Amore uses comedy to tell the story of young unrequited love, including a wily doctor and his seemingly magical potion. RUN TIME 2 hrs 50 mins SUNG IN French AGE LEVEL All Ages NOTABLE LITERARY CONNECTIONS The story of Cinderella is one that has appeared in folk tales, literature, movies, dance, and theater around the world for centuries. Another famous operatic adaptation of this timeless tale is Rossini s La Cenerentola. OPERA NOTES With a storybook-inspired production by director Laurent Pelly, the Met presents Cendrillon for the first time in the company s history. RUN TIME 3 hrs SUNG IN French AGE LEVEL All Ages NOTABLE LITERARY CONNECTIONS Gounod and his librettists Jules Barbier and Michel Carré found inspiration in Romeo and Juliet, the story of ill-fated young lovers and perhaps the best-known of Shakespeare s tragedies, although the opera includes a final reunion for the lovers before their deaths. OPERA NOTES Roméo et Juliette is one of the best examples of French Romanticism in music. Gounod s musicality is a forbearer of the lush orchestration found in the nation s later masterpieces. Y Teachers of younger students may want to pay particular attention to operas with this designation; however, all teachers are encouraged to consider every rehearsal offering and look for connections with ongoing classroom learning. # No more than two classes (up to 70 tickets) per school will be accommodated for this opera. * Productions with this symbol contain brief nudity and adult themes that may not be appropriate for younger students. All timings are approximate. Please remember that an opera is a work of art and always open to interpretation. The final rendering of any opera presented as part of the Access Opera program is at the discretion of the Metropolitan Opera. ON THE LIGHTER SIDE The opera and/or production includes comedic moments and light-hearted story lines. CONTEMPORARY PRODUCTION DESIGN Newer productions that use technology and non-traditional settings and/or production elements. OPERA NOTES These notes provide insightful information about both familiar and obscure works alike. NEW MET PRODUCTION This offering is a new production that will be premiering at the Metropolitan Opera this season. 6
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT At least one teacher from each Access Opera school is expected to attend a minimum of one of the following professional development options as part of their school s participation in the Access Opera program. This year we have included options from the Metropolitan Opera Guild s Lectures series in order to diversify learning opportunities for Access Opera teachers. Teachers may choose to attend one of the Access Opera-specific Professional Learning Workshops for free, or pay to attend one of the designated lectures on the following page to complete this requirement. To register for Access Opera Professional Learning Workshops or the Guild Lectures option, please visit www.metguild.org/accessoperaregme1 and complete the form listed under Professional Development Registration. Option 1: Access Opera Professional Learning Workshops Cost: Free for Access Opera teachers OPERA 101 Led by a Guild teaching artist, this explorative workshop will provide teachers with the opportunity to learn the basics of opera from the ground up. Whether you re a teacher with familiarity of the operatic genre or you ve never seen an opera production, this workshop will provide you with music history and engaging activities to bring back to your classroom. We will demo activities that can be used as a strategy for opera integrated instruction, tailored to various classroom grade levels. Date: Thursday, October 26, 2017, 1pm-4pm Optional Performance: The Exterminating Angel ($42.50 each; 7:30pm) VISUAL DESIGN IN OPERA This popular, hands-on workshop explores visual elements in opera production, including scenery, lighting, and costuming. Participants analyze professional production portfolios and learn how design serves as an artistic language. Date: Saturday, January 20, 2018, 2pm-5pm Optional Performance: L Elisir d Amore ($42.50 each; 8:00pm) BEHIND THE GOLDEN CURTAIN A successful session addition last season, this workshop will provide comprehensive information about the Metropolitan Opera house, the largest classical music organization in North America. A lecture portion and sample in class activities will start off this session, which will then be followed by a 90 minute tour of the opera house. Date: Wednesday, March 21, 2018, 1:30pm-4:30pm Optional Performance: Turandot ($42.50 each; 7:30pm) OPERA SEASON REPERTOIRE IN THE CLASSROOM This engaging workshop, led by a Guild teaching artist, will give teachers in depth information about this season s final dress rehearsal offerings. Through both lecture and experiential learning activities, this workshop will provide historical background information on the composers and the operatic works of the 2017-2018 season. We will explore specific works that can be related and/or adapted to core classroom curriculum. Additionally, we will demonstrate repertoire specific activities that can be easily transferred to the classroom. Date: Tuesday, April 24, 2018, 10am-1pm Optional Performance: Cendrillon ($42.50 each; 7:30pm) 7
Option 2: Guild Lectures Cost: $15 for Access Opera teachers PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CONT.) OPERA BOOT CAMP: INTRODUCTION TO OPERATIC VOICE TYPES Words like spinto, fach, coloratura, and tessitura are all regularly used to describe the types of voices we hear in the opera repertoire, but what do these words mean in relation to singing? What are operatic voice types, and what is the difference between them? In this four-part course, resident Opera Boot Camp instructor Naomi Barrettara will address these questions and more as she guides the audience through an exploration of operatic voice types, highlighting singers of the past and present and discussing how their voices fit into (or in some cases, defy) established vocal categorizations. SOPRANOS TENORS Date: Sat 9/16/17, 11am-12:30pm Date: Sat 9/16/17, 2pm-3:30pm Registration due by 9/2/17 Registration due by 9/2/17 MEZZO-SOPRANOS BARITONES & BASSES Date: Sat 9/23/17, 11am-12:30pm Date: Sat 9/23/17, 2pm-3:30pm Registration due by 9/9/17 Registration due by 9/9/17 STUDY DAYS: OPERA IN THE NEW MILLENIUM From Monteverdi to Muhly, opera has been an important form of cultural expression and an agent of change for centuries. Thomas Adès s The Exterminating Angel is one of the most dramatically thrilling operas to premiere in the last two decades; however, it s not the only one. The operatic art form continues to grow as the power of the human voice inspires a new generation of composers. Focusing on works written post-2000, Guild lecturers Naomi Barrettara and Elspeth Davis will explore musical styles and theatrical trends that are shaping opera today. PART 1 - LEARNING TO LISTEN Using The Exterminating Angel as a point of departure, this session will explore works by George Benjamin, David T. Little, Kevin Puts, Missy Mazzoli, and others. Naomi and Elspeth discuss historical trends that influence opera today, as well as the exciting, beautiful, and sometimes provocative operas that are making waves today. Date: Sat 10/21/17, 10:30am-12pm Registration due by 10/7/17 PART 2 - OPERA: THE NEXT GENERATION How do composers choose subject matter for new works? How do librettists and composers work together? What inspires musical and compositional choices? In the second half of our Study Day, a panel of special guests will join Naomi and Elspeth to discuss what it takes to create and produce an opera in today s world. Date: Sat 10/21/17, 1pm-2:30pm Registration due by 10/7/17 STUDY DAYS: LAST WORKS WITH MICHAEL BOLTON From Puccini to Wagner to Mozart, many composers final operatic creations take the Metropolitan Opera stage this season. Opera Philadelphia Vice President, Community Initiatives, Michael Bolton joins the Guild community to explore the music and meaning of some of these composers beloved last works. Date: Sat 11/4/17, 10:30am-12pm & 1pm-2:30pm Registration due by 10/7/17 8
Option 2 (cont.): Guild Lectures Cost: $15 for Access Opera teachers PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CONT.) OPERA BOOT CAMP: INTRODUCTION TO THE ORCHESTRA Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a Violin and a Viola, or an Oboe and an English Horn? Or how many different instruments a percussionist must learn to play? Are you curious about the practice regimes of Met Orchestra musicians and what different instrumentalists need to do in preparation for each performance? Back by popular demand, Opera Boot Camp is once again turning its attention to the orchestra! This course will help newcomers and seasoned opera lovers alike deepen their understanding of orchestral instruments and will offer insight into how each musician prepares for performances. We will explore the evolution of individual instruments, both their sound and mechanics, and touch on the roles various instrument families have played in the orchestra across history. Learn to listen to the orchestra in a new way as the Guild s resident Opera Boot Camp lecturer Naomi Barrettara guides you through this four-session course, accompanied by audio and video clips from across the season and live demonstrations with guest musicians from the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. THE STRING SECTION DOUBLE REEDS AND WOODWINDS Date: Sat 3/17/18, 10:30am-12pm Date: Sat 3/17/18, 1pm-2:30pm Registration due by 3/3/18 Registration due by 3/3/18 THE BRASS SECTION PERCUSSION AND KEYBOARD INSTRUMENTS Date: Sat 3/24/18, 10:30am-12pm Date: Sat 3/24/18, 1pm-2:30pm Registration due by 3/10/18 Registration due by 3/10/18 *Limit one lecture at discounted price per teacher per season. Access Opera teachers have access to any additional lectures at the Student price. Limited space available. Please note that the Guild will not be able to provide certification of Professional Development attendance for the Lecture Option. 9
ACCESS OPERA RESOURCES The Metropolitan Opera Guild is committed to providing quality resources to aid teachers in connecting the opera experience with ongoing classroom instruction. The following are therefore provided as part of Access Opera participation. A GUIDE FOR EDUCATORS These materials are repertoire-specific, offer valuable background and context, and are intended to help teachers develop their own applications to classroom learning. A recording of the opera is provided with A Guide for Educators materials. OPTIONAL OPERA NEWS SUBSCRIPTION Each Access Opera school has the opportunity to receive a complimentary digital subscription to OPERA NEWS magazine, a monthly publication that presents interviews, commentary, and the latest news on opera from around the world. METROPOLITAN OPERA GUILD LECTURE SERIES Teachers and high school/college students involved in Metropolitan Opera Guild programming have access to special educator and student discounts for the Guild s Lecture Series. Lectures are offered in conjunction with the Metropolitan Opera season, but also include opportunities during the summer months. Visit the For the Community section of the Guild s website (www.metguild.org) for more information. BACKSTAGE TOURS Access Opera schools are able to tour the Metropolitan Opera at a reduced cost. Students are given behindthe-scenes access to the world of opera production. Groups tour the costume shop, scenic shop, wig shop, rehearsal spaces, the stage, the auditorium, and more. The cost is $10 per ticket. (Note: There are no backstage tours on final dress rehearsal dates.) ACCESS OPERA STAFF The Metropolitan Opera Guild is dedicated to empowering school communities to provide arts learning opportunities for all students. The Access Opera staff serves as a resource for supporting your efforts to include opera as a valuable component of ongoing teaching and learning. Stefanie Izzo, Access Opera Manager sizzo@operaed.org (212) 769-7022 Stuart Holt, Director of School Programs and Community Engagement sholt@operaed.org (212) 769-7023 10
ACCESS OPERA: BEYOND THE STAGE REPERTOIRE EXPLORATION This series of five workshops provides students with an introduction to the art form by immersing them in the text, music, and artistic interpretation of the opera they will be attending. Led by a Guild Artist, these interactive sessions take place in the classroom and are tailored to curriculum goals in collaboration with participating teachers. Students are encouraged to draw connections across subject areas, including literature, social studies, foreign language, and the arts. The workshops are intended as the next step, following initial preparation completed by the classroom teacher (which may include studying the story, characters, themes, and historical context). Duration: Appropriate for: *Fee: FIVE 45-MINUTE SESSIONS PER CLASSROOM GRADE 3 TO COLLEGE $500 PER CLASSROOM (up to 35 students per classroom) Minimum 4 classrooms per school *Not including final dress rehearsal ticket cost 13