Role of the Student Performance

The student matinee performances are of an equal integrity with our regular performances for adult audiences. These are fully-staged productions with soloists, full orchestra, costumes and scenery along with all technical aspects of our productions. We do, however, sometimes adjust the length of the opera to suit the schedules of students. Normally, the performance is 2-3 hours in length with time allowed for transportation of students and an intermission for a lunch break. We do not, however, compromise on the quality of our performances. This adherence to a fully-realized production for students is considered by the company to be a vital part of their opera experience.

The productions for both the students and adults are sung in their original language with projected supertitles above the stage. These supertitles, which provide a simultaneous translation, have been adopted by major companies around the country. They greatly enhance the appreciation and understanding of all dimensions of the presented work. The use of the original language has also proved to be of worth for foreign language students.

Sometimes the length of the production is adjusted to accommodate school schedules. Although understandably an expensive undertaking, the value of this kind of presentation is manifold and immediately apparent in the response.

Teacher Participation

The company involves teachers as much as possible in the planning process for the Education Program. We explore linking the opera study program into the general curriculum of the school. The three areas examined include connections with English curriculum, social studies, and mathematics involving opera production financing. All proposed activities are thoroughly discussed with teachers during the orientation sessions.

The collaboration with the Stamford, Connecticut Public School includes planning meetings and orientation sessions with teachers, facilitated by the Company's Education Director, visits from Teaching Artists from the Company singers and musicians.

Preparation and School Study Program

Schools work with the company in preparing students to attend the performances. A variety of programs addressing different levels of involvement by the students are undertaken. The involvement of teachers and an orientation for them have proven to be vital elements in the study program. All schools are provided with background materials and resource information for further preparation. These include CD’s and librettos as well as visual aids such as posters and DVD’s.

The overall educational approach espoused by the company includes:

1. Creation and Participation:
   The hands-on participation of these projects is developed to allow students to get an artistic and technical eye view of various aspects of the production. Activities address artistic problems associated with the production by the creative artists involved with the project. These activities are designed to be appropriate for the age group involved and involve all students regardless of their technical ability.
2. Student Performance:
   With the insight and perspective gained in the preparatory study, students are able to view the production and see how the artistic and technical team has approached the themes, characterizations and aesthetics of the actual finished project.
3. Assessment of Program:
   Students and teachers in conjunction with the staff, review and assess their experiences providing valuable insight for continual improvement of the Education Program in its ability to meet the changing needs of both teachers and students.
4. Measuring Quality:
   One of the duties of our Education Director has been to measure the goals of our program. Toward this end, teacher questionnaires, student reviews, post-performance and student projects were encouraged:
   • Libretto
   • Synopsis
   • Outline of possible project structure
   • Suggested themes for study
   • Performance history of opera
   • Fact sheet on the basis of opera
   • Bibliography and discography
   • Company brochure
   • Videos and CD's to aid in musical preparation