In the “Live in HD” series, the Metropolitan Opera broadcasts a live performance to movie theaters around the world. Operas are subtitled, and feature interviews and special events during the intermission. Viewers also receive close-up angles of the performance unlike those experienced by live theatergoers. For live productions, a Saturday matinee in New York translates to a 10am performance time in San Diego.
“The Magic Flute” is a German opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, premiered in 1791. This fairy tale opera, full of fantasy and adventure, is considered one of the most accessible for children. The opera features memorable characters and numbers, including the Queen of the Night’s coloratura soprano aria and the lovebird duet between Papageno and Papagena. The production of “The Magic Flute” viewed by Ericson students was a Met Opera encore: a re-broadcast of the abridged English-language production from 2006.
Ericson Elementary prep-time music teacher Andrew Bearden was pleased to bring his extensive knowledge of opera to his students. All 734 students at the school learned about opera in a month-long unit of study leading up to the “The Met: Live in HD” experience.
Tickets to this event were provided free of charge through a partnership between the Metropolitan Opera and the SDUSD VAPA Department. Participating schools also receive teacher training, educator guides, and digital resources.
