OPERA STARTS WITH OH!
OPERA LAFAYETTE’S FAMILY PROGRAMMING
AS FEATURED IN THE WASHINGTON POST, WASHINGTON PARENT & PUBLIC RADIO
“The best Zoom there is!”
“Opera provides optimum benefits for children.
”
We invite you to join us for what The Washington Post called, “The best Zoom there is!”
Opera Starts with Oh! is a series of educational lessons created by Opera Lafayette to introduce young audiences to the magic of opera! Led by teaching artists and joined by a new guest artist for every unit, Opera Starts with Oh! is perfect for families with children pre-k and up.
We operate on a pay-what-you can model to ensure equity in our programming.
Upcoming Sessions
APRIL 2: dido and aeneas
virtual
Join Lead Teaching Artist, Omar Cruz, in this online session of Opera Starts with Oh! exploring the opera Dido and Aeneas by Henry Purcell!
Dido and Aeneas is a mythical story about the love and betrayal of Dido, the Queen of Carthage, and Aeneas, the Trojan Hero! This opera, is one of the earliest known English operas and was Purcell’s only true opera as it was completely sung meaning it had no talking at all. It is commonly considered Purcell’s greatest theatrical works!
‘Oft She Visits This Lone Mountain’
Saturday, April 2nd @ 11:00AM
VIRTUAL
How do opera singers prepare themselves for these signing roles, representing the characters only through song? Guest Artist and Professional Opera Singer, Cathy Thorpe, will take us through a few arias from the opera and demonstrate how opera singers express emotions and bring their characters to life!
Join us as we dive deeper into the songs and learn about the stories they represent!
APRIl in-person sessions: SILVAIN
Join Lead Teaching Artist, Omar Cruz, for these two, different, in-person sessions of Opera Starts with Oh! exploring the opera Silvain by André Grétry!
Silvain was one of Grétry’s most famous operas! This opera focuses on the themes of family conflict and reconciliation. It follows the story of Silvain, who works as a poor farmer after being disinherited by his rich father for marrying a lower-class woman. Silvain is a great example of opéra-comique (opera with both speaking and signing parts) which was a popular style during the 1700s!
Bringing Silvain To Life
April 9th @ 1:30PM - 3:30PM
Guest Artists: Sarah Laughland, Jeannette Christensen, and Rachel Felstein
IN-PERSON:
The Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital
921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20003
Let’s dive deeper into Silvain and learn about all the aspects that bring it to life! We are pleased to welcome back Guest Artists: Sarah Laughland, Jeannette Christensen, and Rachel Felstein! Together, we’ll rotate through each room’s different activities, which will include dance, costume design, and opera singing as it relates to Silvain!
Going Back to the Land!
April 16th @ 10:45AM - 12:00PM
Guest Artists: Sarah Laughland, Jeannette Christensen, and Penelope Musto
IN-PERSON:
Tregaron Conservancy
3100 Macomb St NW, Washington, DC 20008
Join us as we as we dive deeper into Silvain and learn about all the aspects that bring it to life! We are pleased to welcome back Guest Artist Sarah Laughland, and introduce new Guest Artists Patrick Kilbride (bass-baritone) and Penelope Musto (cello)! Together, we’ll rotate through each guest artists different activities, which will include dance, music, and opera singing as it relates to Silvain!
Meet Omar Cruz
our 2022 Spring lead teaching artist!
Omar Cruz, photo by Jason Moran
Omar Cruz is a bilingual (English, Spanish) actor and theater educator. He obtained a BA in Theater from Universidad de Sagrado Corazon, an MFA in Classical Acting from Academy for Classical Acting at George Washington University, and completed a two-year acting conservatory program at Maggie Flanigan Studio. Selected NYC acting credits include: La MaMa ETC, LAByrinth Theater Company, 777 Theater (Off-Broadway), Abingdon Theater, Duplex Cabaret Theater; Selected DMV acting credits include: Shakespeare Theater Company, The Kennedy Center, Imagination Stage, Discovery Theater, Washington Revels, Adventure Theater, Constellation Theater, Keegan Theater, GALA Hispanic Theater. Omar has taught with Shakespeare Theater Company, Washington Revels, Imagination Stage, Adventure Theater and was an adjunct at American University.
Play On
At-Home Activities
After each session, we share Play On! materials to help our families keep the fun going after the Opera Starts with Oh! interactive sessions. You can explore them below at any time - even if you missed the actual session!
Watch Our Teaser
In the News
FEATURED IN THE WASHINGTON POST: Michael Brodeur, Classical Music Critic, The Washington Post
FEATURED IN KMFA AUSTIN PUBLIC RADIO: Judylne Lily Gibson, Staccato, KMFA 89.5
FEATURED IN WASHINGTON PARENT MAGAZINE: Emma Jaster & Ersian François
Share with a Friend!
Know someone who would love this program? Send them this link and have them register for the next class or the full series!