S
Sarabande
Guest
I thought I’d share this article I just read, “Helping Children Learn to Listen through Opera and Art Song”. This teacher is a teacher after my own heart, as it was something similar that I did when I was teaching music to kids at a local Catholic school near me. It truly is amazing once you can open their minds and diminish any of the preconceived notions that people have for certain kinds of music.
operagasm.com/2011/08/helping-children-learn-to-listen-using-opera-and-art-song/
The same can be said with adults. I perform little recitals for many private events, sometimes in modest residences, sometimes in nursing homes, halls, and then other times in little salons of homes for more wealthier patrons. The recitals can range from just popular arias from operas or art songs (which are near and dear to me). The most enjoyable ones I do are for the people who have never really listened to opera or to classical singing in general. Seeing people cry because they have been so touched by a song or an aria in a language they don’t understand is moving and extremely humbling. Hearing the feedback from them and then also from the people who hire me (the opera lovers themselves) that these newbies have been “converted” is also wonderful to hear. I think the important thing is to break down the barriers and misconceptions that classical singing and classical music in general is a high-falutin’ art form only for snobs or the wealthy. There are many groups that are doing just that, bringing the music to the local communities where many would not have an opportunity to experience it.
operagasm.com/2011/08/helping-children-learn-to-listen-using-opera-and-art-song/
The same can be said with adults. I perform little recitals for many private events, sometimes in modest residences, sometimes in nursing homes, halls, and then other times in little salons of homes for more wealthier patrons. The recitals can range from just popular arias from operas or art songs (which are near and dear to me). The most enjoyable ones I do are for the people who have never really listened to opera or to classical singing in general. Seeing people cry because they have been so touched by a song or an aria in a language they don’t understand is moving and extremely humbling. Hearing the feedback from them and then also from the people who hire me (the opera lovers themselves) that these newbies have been “converted” is also wonderful to hear. I think the important thing is to break down the barriers and misconceptions that classical singing and classical music in general is a high-falutin’ art form only for snobs or the wealthy. There are many groups that are doing just that, bringing the music to the local communities where many would not have an opportunity to experience it.
