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EN ROUTE AFTERBEFORE BEYOND

INSIDE

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Department check out: NEWVICTORY.ORG/SCHOOLTOOLS

THE MAGIC FLUTE

COMMON CORE STANDARDS

Speaking and Listening: 1; 2; 6Language: 1, 3; 4; 6

NEW YORK STATE STANDARDS

The Arts: 4 ELA: 1; 4

BLUEPRINT FOR THE ARTS

Theater: Developing Theater Literacy; Making ConnectionsMusic: Developing Music Literacy; Making Connections

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INSIDEBEFORE EN ROUTE AFTER

CLOSER LOOK AT THE MAGIC FLUTE

• The original German opera was composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1791 when he was only 35. It was the last opera he worked on in his lifetime.

• Isango Ensemble is known for their clever adaptations of classic tales. To create theatrical experiences that will resonate with audiences, they transform beloved masterpieces, including, previously, A Christmas Carol and La Boheme, to incorporate art forms native to South Africa.

• When the show starts, you're in for a surprise. In this production of THE MAGIC FLUTE, the orchestra includes a number of instruments commonly played in South Africa, such as marimbas and djembes.

From the townships of South Africa, Isango Ensemble bursts onto the stage in an inspired reimagining of Mozart's masterpiece opera THE MAGIC FLUTE: Impempe Yomlingo. Sung in English and South African dialects by an ensemble of more than two dozen vibrant voices, classic arias are enlivened with exhilarating orchestrations of merry marimbas and powerful percussion. A brilliant fusion of fairy tale and African myth, the show shines especially bright when the majestic Queen of the Night performs her acclaimed aria. Winner of an Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival (Young Vic, London) and a Globes de Cristal for Best Opera (Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris), this fresh, fearless and fantastical production, co-produced by Eric Abraham and the Young Vic, brims with dazzling drama, crisp comedy and the sublime joy of finding true love.

BEYOND

[ ]Mozart + Opera + South African Culture =

THE MAGIC FLUTE

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS THE MAGIC FLUTE FROM?

• Did you know that in South Africa the seasons are the inverse of ours? December, smack dab in the middle of summer, is their hottest month!

• According to Zulu legend, a goddess named Marimba placed wooden bars atop hanging gourds, which is the drum named after her.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

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NORTHAMERICA

ATLANTICOCEAN

PACIFICOCEAN

INDIANOCEAN

ASIA

EUROPE

AFRICA

AUSTRALIA

X

XCAPE TOWN

SOUTH AFRICA

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INSIDEBEFORE EN ROUTE AFTER BEYOND

Prior to exploring THE MAGIC FLUTE with your students, find out how much they already know about Opera and African dance. In addition, allow them to explore the themes of love and of overcoming tests and trials to achieve something they want.

Have you ever seen an opera? How was it different from musical theater?

How can dance tell a story? How do you think choreographers imagine the kind of dance they want to make?

Do you believe that someone can fall in love at first sight? Why or why not?

What kind of trials do you encounter every day? Are there trials or tests you must pass to achieve something you want?

What do your clothes say about who you are and where you live? How can the costumes the performers wear inform the world of the opera?

WHAT DO YOUR STUDENTS KNOW NOW?

OPERADating back to the 16th century, opera is a theatrical art form that uses music to tell a story. A composer and a librettist work together to set text to classical music. Often the performances are quite spectacular, involving large set pieces and elaborate costumes. Traditionally, operas were written in Italian or French but thanks to Mozart, the German language became quite popular. Since then, opera has expanded to include music styles other than classical. It also inspired a whole new art form: musical theater.

AFRICAN DANCEAfrican dance is rooted in physical expression of ritual experience. Many African cultures strongly uphold tradition and use dance as a participatory social custom. There are dances for marriage, maturity, funerals, praise and many other community-based events. The dance technique is very rhythmic and relies on repetition so that spectators can quickly catch on and join in. The music is rich with drumbeats and other distinctive percussion. Isango Ensemble incorporates South African instruments into THE MAGIC FLUTE's traditional score to craft music that embodies the sound of the country.

INSIDE THE ART FORM

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NEW VICTORY THEATER HANDOUT

Opera is a renowned art form that pulls together aspects of theater, music, language, history and technical design. Share this page with your students to review the lingo of this legendary style of performance.

BEHIND THE SCENES

LibrettistWrites the words to each song.

ComposerWrites the musical score.

ConductorCoordinates the music of the orchestra with the singers on stage.

THE PERFORMERS

OrchestraA group of instrumentalists who play the music to accompany the singers.

SopranoThe highest female voice (usually the heroine character of an opera who often falls in love).

Coloratura SopranoA high soprano whose solos often feature agile arias, leaps and trills.

AltoThe lowest female voice (often an old woman or witch character).

TenorThe highest male voice (usually the love interest).

BaritoneThe second lowest male voice.

BassThe lowest male voice (often an old man or a funny character).

BUILDING BLOCKS OF OPERA

RecitativeWords that are sung to create action in the story.

AriaA piece of music sung by one person (a solo usually sung by one character who sings directly to the audience to give information about who he or she is).

Duet A piece of music written for two singers that can be used for dialogue in a scene.

QuartetA piece of music for four singers with different vocal types that harmonize.

FinaleLast number of an opera. It is usually the most extravagant and stirring part of the opera.