Educational projects at OPERA2DAY
OPERA2DAY organizes educational projects for secondary schools with nearly all of its productions. In fact, education and participation are an integral part of our artistic vision. Through these projects, we actively involve students in or around the performance, making opera an engaging and exciting experience for them. For many, an OPERA2DAY production is their very first encounter with the genre. We ourselves were unexpectedly moved by opera when we were young—it changed our lives. Now, we hope to offer today’s young people that same incredible experience.
Are you curious whether our educational projects are suitable for your students? Do you want to know more about the time investment at school and/or in the theater? Do you have questions about the minimum or maximum number of students who can participate? Or would you like more information about the costs?
For all inquiries and to discuss possibilities, please contact our education coordinator, Evelien Storm, at educatie@opera2day.nl.
Teachers’ reactions
“OPERA2DAY, after its beautiful ‘Dolhuys Kermis’, enthused us about the ‘Médée’ project, a truly unique project. What an excellent idea to have students participate in such a difficult discipline. With a combination of enthusiasm and professional competence OPERA2DAY managed to provide them with a cultural experience which led our students to see opera in a different light.”
“We thought the workshops were fascinating and informative. The aim to involve students and have them participate is a very good idea and makes it a lot more interesting for students to ‘go to the opera’. The students said their participation was exciting, fun and useful.”
“We are very enthusiastic about the quality of the workshops and the support towards becoming an extra. We have high praise for the performance ‘Mariken in the garden of delights’, which was well-received, also because of the thorough preparation. For us it was a fine and valuable project.”
“For us ‘Dr. Miracle’ was a miracle in itself – the entire group of music students was involved, from havo 4 through vwo 6. The workshop was marvellous and the fact that they played an important part in the performance was a wonderful experience for all participants. And what a beautiful performance it was. One of the students said: ‘I did not know opera could be such fun.’ Well, this one was.”
Students’ reactions
On Thursday 20 November our CKV culture class attended the opera ‘Médée’. Not just to see it; we were participants. We played the people. In three weeks we learned several yells as well as a festive song. We followed both singing classes and drama classes. In the drama classes we practiced the phrases we had to shout in the theatre. We also studied the storyline
At the night of the opera we had to be present in the theatre at half past five. We had the dress rehearsal with the orchestra and the conductor and were informed of the latest adaptations. We were scattered throughout the theatre in groups of three. Apart from us there were three other choirs and another secondary school. The opera started at half past seven and of course we were apprehensive. Fortunately, we had two more hours before we had to perform.
We thought it was fun and impressive, not an everyday thing. We had never been to an opera, that is why it was very special to us. The reactions of the rest of the audience made it extra special. They were surprised, but pleasantly. When we broke into the song, many people turned their heads to find out where the singing was coming from.
We want to thank OPERA2DAY for th