Let's Create An Opera

In order to help make the art form of opera accessible and

Let's Create an Opera

understandable to all members of the school community, Calgary Opera provides opportunities for schools to study, create and perform their own operas. Well known working professionals in the fields of writing (librettist) and music (composer) and sometimes a director and technical personnel are sent to each school to assist in the process. The project has been in Calgary schools since 1998 and has been a great success from the point of view of administrators, teachers, students, parents and audience members.

Librettist Lindsay Burns with students at Thorncliffe Elementary

Since its inception this program has continued to grow, including Elementary, Junior and Senior high schools. The first bilingual opera in the Let’s Create an Opera program’s nine-year history took place at St. Matthew Elementary Junior High School. Ma Chanson-My Song was written by the Grade Nine students and performed by the Grade Eight students in May 2006. In the 2006-2007 season Calgary Opera had the first school outside of Calgary participate, with Elizabeth Rummel School in Canmore, who performed their opera, Breakaway Forest, in May 2007. Also participating last season were Thorncliffe Elementary and Ecole St. Gerard.

Participating schools in the 2007-2008 season are St. Philip Elementary School, William Reid School and Cambrian Heights School. The 2008-2009 participating schools are University Elementary, Monsignor E.L. Doyle Elementary School and Holy Cross School.

Teachers interested in learning more about the Let’s Make an Opera program can contact Bonnie Gratz, Education & Outreach Coordinator at 802-3404.

Let’s Create an Opera is generously supported by a donation from RBC Financial Group, through RBC Foundation.

Calgary Opera is a member of: