EXPLORING THE STORY

Objective:
Students will become familiar with the plot and characters of the various versions of Cinderella by listening to the music of Gioacchino Rossini, Jules Massenet and Rodgers and Hammerstein. They will be able to identify the characters, their role in each opera/musical and the musical landmarks that will assist them in listening to the musical in performance. They will understand that each version of Cinderella has many elements of a traditional musical play and that it reflects the stock dramatic conventions of each style.

What teachers should do before the workshop:
Read to students, or have them read, Gioacchino Rossini's La Cenerentola, Jules Massenet's Cendrillon, and Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella. A SYNOPSIS of each version of Cinderella is included in this site. Familiarize students with the characters' names and pronunciation.

• Play the CD recording of each version of Cinderella or the tape of musical excerpts from Cinderella as frequently as possible. It can be very valuable as background music while they are working on other things. Discuss how students would make each character's music sound if they were the composers.
• Have students write about and discuss the themes from Cinderella. One approach to the themes would be through the characters, by asking questions like: What character do you like the most? Why? The least? Why? What choice(s) does each character make? Would you make the same choice? Why or why not?
• Look at MEET THE WORKSHOP TROUPE with your students for an introduction to the artists visiting your school.

City Opera Personnel: Pianist, Soprano, Tenor, Mezzo-Soprano

What City Opera artists will do:
Act as a story-telling troupe, playing different roles in turn to introduce the characters, unfold the plot, and explore the key themes and conflicts.

• Sing short excerpts at the appropriate point in the story
• Ask students questions about the plot, characters, or a particular aspect of the story and its themes
• Wear simple costumes, such as hats, capes and veils, to identify the characters
• Lead the student participation activities

What students will do:

• Respond to questions about the characters and plot, which draw on their knowledge of the story from in-class preparatory work
• Participate as actors in the staged scenes
• Portray different character moods
• Learn about auditions and audition to perform with the artists at various parts of the workshop
• Be introduced to audience behavior expectations for the dress rehearsal attendance