Take a look at some of the ways that the study of opera can meet the Quality Core Curriculum standards of the Georgia Department of Education. Because opera has been an integral part of musical development for 400 years, the study of opera can become a window into the various style periods from late Renaissance to contemporary. A performance by Atlanta Opera personnel provides students with the opportunity to hear pieces by some of the most famous composers ever known as presented by professional musicians trained in the performance practices of the day. Students will develop their skills in critiquing performances as they identify and process the elements of a live performance.
Opera is a story told with music and, as such, contains all the elements of story-telling and drama.
By following the plot of the libretto and learning the context of specific songs within a particular opera, students learn about story structure, sequencing, character development and other dramatic elements. After seeing a live performance, students will compare and contrast their reactions and will begin to form opinions and make judgments about what they experienced. Western opera is an art form that was born in late 16th-century Italy. However, the practice of telling stories with music has been present in every major culture of the world for as long as we have historical records. Many operas are set in times and places far removed from our own.