For additional information contact our production office at: 888-4 FBN-KIDS or email us at ellen@operaforkids.org

Jack and the beanstalk

Story by: John Davies
Music by: Gilbert & Sullivan
 
From the man who brought us the Three Little Pigs comes this clever new tale to introduce children to opera. Using the beloved melodies of Gilbert & Sullivan, John Davies weaves the tale of the misuse of the magic beans.


 

By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and John Davies
  
Appropriate for Grades K-6
Running time: 30 minutes
 
  
The Three Little Pigs uses the familiar children’s story as its source. The opera takes Despina and her brothers, Giovanni and Cherubino, through a typical family squabble. While they are arguing over the proper construction of a house, Despina proclaims they can find plans for a good house in the library. The boys think books are silly as they already know how to build snug little cottages.
 
Enter Wolfgang Bigbad, who pretends to be a fierce statue guarding the library. The story proceeds, with only Despina ready for the wolf - she has read in a book how to shrink bullies down to size. The moral of the story: "When you fear a thing that’s scary ... Just take your questions to the library."
 
     

      

By Gian Carlo Menotti
 
Appropriate for Grades 6-12
Running time: 25-35 minutes
 
Written by Pulitzer Prize win­ning composer and Spoleto

Festival USA founder, Gian Carlo Menotti, The Telephone is a delightful one-act opera about a boy, a girl, and a telephone. The scene is the patio outside Lucy’s apartment. Ben, pressed for time before his train leaves, has been trying to tell Lucy something important. Just as he reaches that point, the telephone rings. Lucy answers and much to Ben’s dismay begins a chatty conversation. No sooner has Ben managed to get Lucy off the phone than it rings again. Wrong number. Ben begs her to listen distressed that time is growing shorter. Lucy dials the “time” service for him. Then the telephone stops him again as Lucy is swept into an argument. Seemingly defeated by the telephone, Ben slips away. Lucy ends her conversation only to find herself alone with the telephone. It rings. It’s Ben. He has finally found a way to propose to Lucy. She accepts and makes Ben promises never to forget the most important thing about her - not her lips, eyes, or hands, but her telephone number.

By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
  
Appropriate for Grades K-6
Running time: 35-40 minutes
 
The action takes place in an open meadow. Bastienne, a shepherdess, fears that her “dearest friend,” Bastien, has forsaken her for another. She is interrupted by Colas, the village soothsayer. Bastienne asks him to use his magic to help solve her problem. He advises her to feign indifference, and Bastien will return. They hear Bastien approaching, so Bastienne hides. Colas tells him that he’s too late; Bastienne has found another lover. After consulting his magic book, Colas assures Bastien that all his problems are solved. Bastienne decides to play the part of a spurned lover, and plays it so well that Bastien threatens to return to the lady in the manor. Bastienne retorts that she herself can easily find admirers in the town. Bastien responds by threatening to drown himself. But here he hesitates, admitting that he’s a bad swimmer. By now the lovers’ tiff has played itself out and in a final chorus they all sing the magician’s praises.

   
Appropriate for Grades 7-12
Running time: 30-40 minutes
   
The Words and the Music is one of our most popular programs for Middle School grades & up, blends the competition of a quiz show and the inspiration of live music into one unique, energetic performance. Using scenes from American operas, a student from the audience tries to spell out OPERA MUSE on the game board using categories such as Politics, Relationships, At Home and Movies. If the operatic team can perform a scene from an American Opera illustrating a category, the student gets a letter. There are no losers in this contest!

In addition to opening up young adults to the world of American music, teachers can use the operas to aid in the discovery of literature, history, art and social studies. A perfect outing for any Middle or High School class, but especially for music or drama classes.

 
FBN Productions
Ellen Douglas Schlaefer, General Director
716 Old Forge Road
Chapin, SC 29036
803-345-6638 or 888-4 FBN KIDS
email: ellen@operaforkids.org