Hi Everyone!

So with the intention of providing some background on opera, I have posted a few You Tube links to clips of opera and musical theatre numbers the students will enjoy. I'll provide a CD for nest week (the 8th), which should be out songwriting class...that way the students can have some inspirations throughout the week of songwriting.

Magic Flute, Queen of the Night - Mozart's Magic Flute is a beloved opera, with fantasy elements and mythical characters. In this aria, the Queen of the Night tells her daughter to go and kill the sorcerer Zarastro. This aria has such amazing musical imagery; the music paints the angry character of the Queen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZG90IhvGZk&feature=PlayList&p=04ED81A9E4881AC1&index=45

Magic Flute, The Birdcatcher's Aria - this aria from the Magic Flute introduces the comical character Papageno, who is a bird-catcher:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-Qq-DeEXhw


West Side Story "America"- this song presents two different perspectives on life in America. Since the concept of perspectives came up in our preliminary meeting, this may be food for thought:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QS7wWzwak4

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - since the theme of the operas is Egypt, here's a musical that takes place partially in Egypt...thoughts about set design...?:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z06vEUfmuMQ&feature=channel

If posting links like this proves useful, I can do more throughout the program, otherwise I'll work on putting together a good resource CD. I believe listening to music and opera is key in this case.

Cheers and see you all soon!