Thread: A new way to learn Opera

Hi folks,

I've been working on a new way to connect people to opera music, and wanted to share some of my beginning work. My theory is that many people struggle to connect to operas because they are just too big to wrap their minds around at once... too much is new at once. To help with this, I've tried to create abbreviated versions of
operas that touch on all the songs and tell the story in the most entertaining way possible... with legos. People learn the story while becoming familiar with the music, and the entire opera only takes about 30 minutes. After a couple of viewings, the listener becomes familiar with the music and the sequence, and when they watch the actual opera, they're well prepared for all the music and story they will hear.

So here is my first attempt at this... Lego Il Trovatore, I hope you like it.

Act I
http://youtube.com/watch?v=hRc0cYH1DtQ


Act II
http://youtube.com/watch?v=9XehPnKHAv4

Act III
http://youtube.com/watch?v=mRSq8VjUlW0

Act IV
http://youtube.com/watch?v=sRFf301hDXM

*standing ovation*

Very good work!. I don't have any problem with operas and actually I know a lot of them. But I have been succesfuly avoiding Trovatore, and your work seems to be a good introduction.

I saw the first part of Lego Tosca today. It was awesome! What a fun idea.

Pretty cool!

Not sure if everyone's seen these occasional (not quite serious) opera tales. Could be a different way to learn an opera.

One of my favourites is Don Carlo.

Verdi: Don Carlo

SPANISH INQUISITION! TYRANNY! STAKE! LOVE! MALE FRIENDSHIP! SELF-SACRIFICE! LIBERTY! DEATH!

Characters:

Philip II, King of Spain (bass) - a lonely tyrant who needs a hug
Elisabeth of Valois, his wife (soprano) - married the father, loves the son
Don Carlo, his son (tenor) - Do you think Hamlet sucks as he never does anything? Try Carlo.
Princess Eboli, lady-in-waiting (mezzo-soprano) - loves Carlo. Sleeps with Philip.
Rodrigo, Marquis of Posa (baritone) - idealistic, noble-hearted freedom fighter, most likely Enjolras' Spanish Doppelgänger
Grand Inquisitor (bass) - super evil old high priest
Monk (bass) - Philip's dad in disguise


Warnings: Complicated relationships. Some bad words.

Originally Posted by sospiro

Not sure if everyone's seen these occasional (not quite serious) opera tales. Could be a different way to learn an opera.

One of my favourites is Don Carlo.

These are all very cool. Nice thread.

Wow very cool,

I'll definitely be showing many people.