Recommended for grades 4+
In this resource you’ll:
- Explore the history, music, stories, and people opera
- Hear what opera means to artists and enthusiasts
- Learn where you may have already heard or seen opera, and how you can learn more
In this resource you’ll:
There are three video carousels below. You can choose to watch: the standard/captioned versions; the American Sign Language (ASL)/captioned versions; or the Audio Described (AD) versions.
Get out your opera glasses and prepare to take a look at the history and evolution of an art form over four hundred years old. Learn how singers train and condition their voices, become familiar with some of the stage鈥檚 most tragic love affairs, and discover how theatre and music combined can tell epic stories in unforgettable ways.
Unfortunately, a lot of people think they don鈥檛, and most of them have never seen one. In this audio story, opera fan Eleni and opera skeptic Samantha discuss how their experiences with opera as children influenced their opinions of the art form as adults.
A beginner鈥檚 guide to some of opera鈥檚 most challenging female roles and a unique look at how opera does girl power.
A soprano is a soprano because they can sing high and a bass is a bass because they sing low, right? Not really...
Opera has always been addicted to love, and its romances can range from the hilarious to the dramatic. But don鈥檛 expect a standard 鈥淏oy Meets Girl鈥 story when you take your seat at the opera house.
What does it really take to become a professional singer?
Learn about musical theater using examples from Broadway, the history, structure and elements of musical theater, musical theater's role in social commentary, its legacy, and how you too can create a musical.
Bring the bright lights of Broadway into your own home with theater maker Peter Michael Marino! Pete explains how using a few simple theatrical elements鈥攍ike sets, lights, costumes, and even publicity鈥攃an bring your show to a whole new level. With your creative ideas, Pete鈥檚 guidance, and a bit of theatrical magic, your show will be ready for an outstanding opening night!
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Generous support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by the U.S. Department of Education.
Gifts and grants to educational programs at the Kennedy Center are provided by The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; Bank of America; Capital One; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; Carnegie Corporation of New York; The Ednah Root Foundation; Harman Family Foundation; William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust; the Kimsey Endowment; The Kiplinger Foundation; Laird Norton Family Foundation; Lois and Richard England Family Foundation; Dr. Gary Mather and Ms. Christina Co Mather; The Markow Totevy Foundation; Dr. Gerald and Paula McNichols Foundation; The Morningstar Foundation; Myra and Leura Younker Endowment Fund; The Irene Pollin Audience Development and Community Engagement Initiatives;
Prince Charitable Trusts; Dr. Deborah Rose and Dr. Jan A. J. Stolwijk; Rosemary Kennedy Education Fund; The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates; The Victory Foundation; The Volgenau Foundation; Volkswagen Group of America; Jackie Washington; GRoW @ Annenberg and Gregory Annenberg Weingarten and Family; Wells Fargo; and generous contributors to the Abe Fortas Memorial Fund and by a major gift to the fund from the late Carolyn E. Agger, widow of Abe Fortas. Additional support is provided by the National Committee for the Performing Arts..
The content of these programs may have been developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education but does not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the federal government.