Opera Columbus on the Go! (Grades K-5)

Bring opera into your school with an exciting program based on a fantastic tale. Opera Columbus on the Go presents professional opera singers and students together on stage in an operatic version of the story of The Billy Goats Gruff based on scenes from operas by W. A. Mozart, G. Donizetti, G. Rossini, words and adaptation by John Davies. An after school game of hide and seek is ruined for three billy goat friends when a big bully blocks a bridge, preventing them from being able to go home. Remembering what their moms, dads, and teachers have told them about dealing with bullies, two boy billy goats resolve to go home a different, longer way and share their difficulties with grownups. The littlest girl goat, however, not wanting to abandon the beloved doll that’s been snatched from her, tromps to the crest of the bridge and, confronting the bully, prevails by inadvertently pushing him into the creek below. Concerned for his well-being, she shows her would-be adversary kindness by asking if he’s OK. He responds by asking if she’s OK. By the time the two boys return with help, she’s able to introduce a soggy, forlorn, ex-bully as their new friend, proving “Kindness is Contagious.” Opera Columbus offers schools an optional one-hour, in-school student workshop on the day of the performance which helps up to 30 students perform as part of the chorus. Teachers are provided with the chorus music in advance. DATES & REQUIREMENTS: Opera Columbus on the Go can be scheduled on Thursdays and Fridays January-May. Duration: 40 min. Fees: With children's chorus: $650 single performance or $800 for two back-to-back. Without children's chorus: $550 single performance or $700 for two back-to-back. Double performance must be booked if audience size exceeds 350. Requires a tuned piano in performance space. Single Performance Information: If performance includes children's chorus, a consecutive two-hour block of time must be reserved in the performance area. For a performance with no workshop, a consecutive hour and fifteen minute block of time is required for set-up, performance, and tear-down. Double Performance Information: If performance includes children's chorus, a consecutive three-hour block of time must be reserved in the performance area. For a performance with no workshop, a consecutive hour and forty minutes is needed. PLEASE NOTE: If schools do not schedule performances back-to-back, two single performance fees will be required to cover artists' fees. We are currently accepting bookings for the 2011-2012 school year.