Program Description

The People’s Music School and Genesis Opera Vocal Duet presents a broad array of classical music by composers from America and Europe. You will hear selections from different operas that exemplify duets, arias and recitatives. A discussion of the physiology of the voice and the different voice types will also be an integral part of the program. There will be a question and answer session at the end of the performance so that the students can share their thoughts about the concert.

Terms:
Opera
Composer
Librettist
Overture
Aria
Recitative
Lyric Soprano/Tenor
Heroic Tenor
Coloratura
Larynx
Amplification
Projection
Duet
Trio
Tempo
Soprano
Alto
Tenor
Bass

Musical excerpts (musical selections may be subject to change)
INTRODUCTION SELECTIONS
“La ci darem la mano,” from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Don Giovanni (in English) – Duet
Zerlina’s and Masetto’s Recitative and Aria from Don Giovanni (sung in English)

SOLO SELECTIONS
The Coloratura: “The Jewel Song” from Gounod’s Faust (sung in French)
The Dramatic Soprano: Aria from Bellini’s I Capuleti e Montecchi (sung in Italian)
The Lyric Tenor: “Nessun dorma” from Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot (sung in Italian)
Negro Spirituals: He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands; You Better Mind, Mind, Mind
Tenor: “La donna e mobile” from Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto (sung in Italian)
Soprano: “Mussetta’s Waltz” from Puccini’s La Boheme (sung in Italian)

DUETS
“Papageno, Papagena,” from Mozart’s The Magic Flute (sung in English) – Duet
“Deep In My Heart, Dear” from Romberg’s The Student Prince (English) – Duet

FINALE
“The Promise of Living” from Aaron Copland’s The Tender Land

GUIDELINE QUESTIONS FOR FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSION:
Q: What voice types were heard in today’s concert?
A: Soprano and Tenor.

Q: What makes a vocal duet?
A: Two vocalists singing together.

Q: What is a composer?
A: A person who writes music.

Q: What is a librettist?
A: A person who writes the text for the opera.

Q: What is an Opera?
A: A stage drama set to music.

Q: How many people does a trio consist of? Duet? Solo?
A: 3, 2, 1

Q: Name the three countries mentioned in the program.
A: U.S., Italy, and Austria.

GUIDELINES FOR STUDENT FEEDBACK
* What did you find most interesting about this concert and why?
* I enjoyed the music, the acting and the story behind the songs or arias because…
* Which of the pieces you heard today did you like the most and how did it make you feel?
* The Opera intrigued me because….
* I’m drawing what I saw and how I felt after the performance because….