Ξέρω ότι όταν έχω βιώσει ένα θαύμα: getting the opportunity to meet Andrew Lloyd Weber in the 1980’s to talk about the talent of an unknown artist named Sarah Brightman who was to headline in a Lloyd Weber production called Τραγούδι και χορός; sitting next to Jim Henson as he spoke about his vision for his follow up to The Muppets – a little show called Fraggle Rock; being taken by my friends Suzan and Jerry Kremer to see a charismatic young conductor named Francisco Nunez inspire a little known diverse chorus of young people to sing music that was just as inspiring as it was boldly diverse.
How do I know I have witnessed a miracle? I get goose bumps. I feel I am in the presence of genius. And so far the goose bumps have not let me down. None of the aforementioned artists failed to raise the bar in their illustrious careers and deliver creative contributions to the arts that I believed the world would enthusiastically embrace.
Είκοσι τρία χρόνια από την έναρξή του, Nunez’s Young People’s Chorus has become one of the most influential and honored choruses in the world. Κατά τη διαδικασία, έχει εισαγάγει τα εκατομμύρια των ακροατών, μικρούς και μεγάλους, μεγάλη μουσική σε όλο το φάσμα, συμπεριλαμβανομένων των νεότερα συνθέσεις αιχμής. Συνεργασίες με μεγάλη υπόληψη συνθέτες, ερμηνευτές, και τα θεσμικά όργανα έχουν προκαλέσει τόσο στον κόσμο των τεχνών και του κόσμου της εκπαίδευσης για να θαυμάσετε τα θαύματα που Νούνιες έχει πραγματοποιήσει με μια ομάδα από νέους μουσικούς να γίνει “ένα εθνικό πρότυπο της καλλιτεχνικής δημιουργίας και της διαφορετικότητας,” σύμφωνα με την επιτροπή του Προέδρου σχετικά με τις Τέχνες και Ανθρωπιστικές Επιστήμες.
Έτσι τι είναι επόμενος?
Ένα άλλο θαύμα του μαθήματος.
Nunez commissioned a new opera aptly called Θαύμα! from composer/conductor Victoria Bond and librettist Susan L. Roth, an author and illustrator of children’s books. Θαύμα!, told in song and dance, is the story about the miracle of Hanukkah. It features original music as well as traditional Hanukkah melodies. The opera’s eight principals include feisty children, wise parents and grandparents, not to mention a singing dog and toy bear. A packed house of enthusiastic families at the Jewish Community Center workshop in Manhattan last weekend exclaimed it a hit. Young People’s Chorus Assistant Conductor Sophia Miller guided the cast of approximately 30 παιδιά σχολικής ηλικίας από 7 – 12 μέσω της παραγωγής, όπως το ακροατήριο γέλασε, τραγούδησαν μαζί και χειροκρότησαν την χαρούμενη όπερα διακοπών.
Έπειτα επάνω, Χορωδίες των νέων της Νέας Υόρκης σχεδιάζει ένα πλήρες εμφυσημένα παραγωγή με ορχήστρα, σκηνικά, and costumes for December, 2012. Victoria and Susan explain they will “continue to polish and refine the opera.” It will be orchestrated as there is interest from other opera companies to include it in their winter season. As the new opera Θαύμα! continues its journey to win hearts and transform the musical education of children, I welcomed the opportunity to chat with Francisco, Βικτώρια, and Susan about the contribution of this important new operatic work to the world of music education.
Φρανσίσκο, I didn’t know young children’s voices could handle “ΛΥΡΙΚΗ ΣΚΗΝΗ”. What are the big differences between a children’s opera versus a children’s musical?
It isn’t unusual for children to sing in opera. They have been doing that for years either as characters in operas of well-known composers or those written specifically for children, όπως Brundibar by Czech composer Hans Krasa. The big difference between an opera and a musical is that generally in opera everything is sung. In a musical there is spoken dialogue.
What special training, πειθαρχία, and preparation do young children need before they can sing opera?
These children are already trained singers, but in opera, singers need a lot of breath, as well as coaching in acting and reacting. For the opera, we needed to work with each of the eight soloists (mother, πατέρας, grandmother, grandfather, daughter, son, dog, and toy bear) individually to learn to project and to act a role. We worked with them to learn how to communicate the story while singing and reacting to each other’s characters.
Why did you feel it was necessary to commission an opera versus a musical?
I feel that children should be exposed to opera and the art of opera. I want them to be engaged in this sophisticated art form. From singing this kind of music, they learn different singing techniques.
Susan and Victoria, why is opera such an important art form for young children’s music education?
Susan and I believe that opera encompasses all of the arts. In an easy and natural way it exposes children to music, χορός, costume and stage design, δράμα, ιστορία, και την ποίηση. Such an intense experience of opera at an early age can encourage a life-long appreciation.
Βικτώρια, why do you believe Θαύμα! will have universal appeal?
Children of every background and ethnicity have a similar issue – getting along with each other. Θαύμα! addresses this as the children begin (στην όπερα) με το επιχείρημα και να μην ακούει. Σχεδιάζουν ένα παιχνίδι γιορτάζει Hanukkah, αλλά δεν μπορούν να συμφωνήσουν σε τίποτα. Κατά τη διάρκεια της όπερας, μαθαίνουν να ακούσει τις ιστορίες και τα τραγούδια του άλλου, και αρχίζουν να γίνει πιο ανεκτικός και κατανόηση. Χανουκά είναι μια γιορτή του φωτός, και Θαύμα! είναι πώς θα μπορέσει η λυχνία σβήνει στο κεφάλι του κάθε παιδιού, ρητό, “Θα πρέπει να πάρετε μαζί με τους γονείς μας, τους αδελφούς και τις αδελφές μας, και τους φίλους μας.” Η ιστορία αντιπροσωπεύει επίσης φέρνοντας μαζί της κοινότητας.
Susan, what are your thoughts on the universal appeal of Θαύμα!?
Νομίζω Θαύμα! has universal appeal because it’s an every-family story. For us, the real message is one of family understanding and underlying love. We hope that Θαύμα! can remind everyone, including those of us who have grown up with other traditions, that at all times, including those of momentary frustration and irritation, it is with kindness and generosity and tolerance that we should treat those whom we love the best.
C. M. Rubin είναι ο συγγραφέας του ευρέως διαβάσετε online σειρά, Η Σφαιρική Αναζήτηση για Εκπαίδευση, και είναι επίσης ο συγγραφέας τριών βιβλίων με εμπορική επιτυχία, Συμπεριλαμβανομένων Η Ρεάλ Αλίκη στη Χώρα των Θαυμάτων.
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