Opera Shows Different Side of Shakespeare
Middle School students ended their Monday with a performance of Romeo and Juliet by Opera Colorado.
Five performers told the classic story of first love, which was turned into an opera in 1867 by French composer Charles Gounod. With piano accompaniment, the version performed Monday included both songs from the opera and script from the original play by William Shakespeare.
Students are studying Shakespeare's Twelfth Night in drama and it was helpful to see a live performance from the same playwright, according to Charlie Fitzpatrick, Grade 6.
"Seeing the opera helped kids like Shakespeare more," he says. "It shows us what's out there for someone who likes singing and that theater can be very entertaining."
His classmate, Alec Romo-Nichols, agrees that the performance was a success. "It had the classical feel to it, but they incorporated new products like an iPhone and disco balls at the party," Alec says. "That's what I thought was cool."
The performance was much more than entertainment -- it had value as a supplement to drama class. Drama teacher Tony Catanese says, "Students see the skills we explore in class practiced by professional actors. They also had the chance to ask questions of these working artists and to be inspired by them."
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Students are studying Shakespeare's Twelfth Night in drama and it was helpful to see a live performance from the same playwright, according to Charlie Fitzpatrick, Grade 6.
"Seeing the opera helped kids like Shakespeare more," he says. "It shows us what's out there for someone who likes singing and that theater can be very entertaining."
His classmate, Alec Romo-Nichols, agrees that the performance was a success. "It had the classical feel to it, but they incorporated new products like an iPhone and disco balls at the party," Alec says. "That's what I thought was cool."
The performance was much more than entertainment -- it had value as a supplement to drama class. Drama teacher Tony Catanese says, "Students see the skills we explore in class practiced by professional actors. They also had the chance to ask questions of these working artists and to be inspired by them."
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
