Opera Lesson Plans

Young scholars research the lyrical and dramatic structure of opera through Internet sources and audio examples, cooperatively discuss elements of opera stories vs. their own lives and create one-act opera based on their own life experiences.

Fifth graders are introduced to opera, its vocabulary, definitions and are given an opportunity to listen to an opera sung by children. They identify phrases and events in the story, "The Emperor's New Clothes." Each student creates a movement to go along with a phrase or event from the story.

Sixth graders research musical styles and forms throughout history. In this musical styles and forms lesson, 6th graders research the history of music by examining the similarities and differences in the form of opera and American musical theatre. Students then create their own opera or musical theatre production for their class.

Third graders listen to opera. For this music lesson, 3rd graders listen to a recording of the opera Hansel and Gretel. Students discuss the terms opera and prelude. They identify instruments included in opera songs and the form they are written in.

What are the basics of operatic voice? Examine the skills of Beverly Sills and discuss how these skills helped her to achieve her dream of becoming an opera singer with your class. Students research milestones in her career and create posters documenting their findings. Tip: Adapt this activity to other performers.

Students view a new adaptation of composer Charles Fran¿¿ois Gounod's opera "Romeo and Juliet", based on Shakespeare's 16th-century play. They conduct research on the era in which Shakespeare lived, write and respond to letters from the characters in "Romeo and Juliet" and draft opera scripts.

Seventh graders, with this opera exchange, increase their knowledge of the opera process. They use opera as a vehicle to better comprehend the relationship music has with all arts and other disciplines across the curriculum.

Students study Chinese opera by sketching pictures of Chinese opera characters and musical instruments. They watch the film A Night at the Peking Opera, noting the elaborate costuming, the sparse staging, and the highly developed use of mime. In addition, they listen to a brief segment of spoken dialogue and an aria from Peking opera, particularly noticing the tense, nasalized vocal quality.

Students discuss the recent success of the "Phantom of the Opera". They practice using new vocabulary associated with the musical. In groups, they work together to match the word with its definition.

Students investigate Chinese opera. In this cultural traditions lesson, students compare and contrast the traditional masks used in Chinese opera. Students discuss the symbolism of the masks.