Operas in the Language Classroom

Even though those HD operas - 'The Tempest' and 'Les Troyens' - are modern versions of the original literatures, there are genres, events, utterances, arguments, romances, conflicts, music or even meaningful silence.  Operas might be one of authentic and appropriate materials for language teaching if we can choose a right one for a targeted learners since they include cultural and language enrichment, which help learners value their own responses. 

We can facilitate classroom activities by using the technologies of videos or YouTube. 
The visual and audio images help students see an immediate meaning of the targeted language and stimulate their motivation and interest because videos include nonverval communications such as gesture, eye contact et cetera and the situation and settings can be more understandable than the written texts. There are a variety of activities; listening, questions, answers, discussions or writing about characters/plots/historical and cultural issues, and role plays.  The operas by medium of videos can be adaptable for all learners including children.


Sample Lesson;
     *Explain about cultural/historical settings, and the opera's story outline
     *Watch the video (a segment or segments)
     *Talk about the music, mood, costumes, settings or characters
       (pair/group works) (explanations for lexical items depending on a level)
     *Re-watching
     *Question-answer handout (pair works)

    Activities for children and young learners;
     *Dancing focus on music and gestures
     *Role play with puppets or reading a written text
    

Limitations;
     *Examining an approprieate quality of video without violent or sexual scenes is important
       for an educational purpose.
     *Segments are to be considered for an intensive study in accordance with the target language and
       learners' levels.
     *Setting conditions of videos are to be well prepared for people with disabilities.
                

HD Screened Opera

http://www.metoperafamily.org/

This evening I watched a screen opera of MET at our Art Centre again, - Les Troyens. It was performed in French with English subtitles for about 5 hours including two intermissions due to such a long period. I managed to watch it fighting with my jet lag.

It was, however, against my expectation. All the casts and settings were impressive, but I still love the previous one - 'The Tempest' - due to its outstanding originality and the sub actress's marvelous talents. This time I felt over all the musical performance seemed boring. Even the movements onstage during crowd scenes lacked confidence and flow except ballet scenes.

Therefore, I will lay my hopes on the next one, not a screened but a real opera, 'Carmen' coming to our hall next month. (05/01/2013)

HD Screened Opera

Nowadays operas appeal a new style of performance and music to audiences, which is represented by the Metropolitan Opera, New York/USA.   They offer us an opportunity to watch the opera in a HD screen with English subtitles while sitting on a seat comfortably at our local cinema. 

'The Tempest' by The Metropolitan Opera

Even though it was a HD screen play opera, I was inspired by the fabulous world of the illusion, audio settles and the scenic design of its stage construction. Although the best should experience the opera in a real stage, there are still a lot of advantages of a HD screen play. They provide us to watch some interviews, the backstage process during the intervals which we cannot normally see, and in particular, there is an English dubbing!   Otherwise, to be honest I would not be able to understand all.   And, one more thing, the ticket is very cheap!     

http://www.metoperafamily.org/