Lyric Opera 2019-2020 Issue 2 The Barber of Seville

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 13 Putting young people at the center of the story is essential to Lyric’s productions for young audiences. Our heroes, while navigating extraordinary stories, are often grounded in real, relatable situations. In 2017/18, Jason and the Argonauts followed the youthful title character on his quest to find the Golden Fleece, win back his stolen throne, and learn what it really means to be a hero. This season’s opera for young people may resonate with audience members in many ways: Earth to Kenzie centers on a fifth-grader with homework, asthma, and a big imagination. When Kenzie and her mother must move into a family shelter, Kenzie finds refuge in the world of video games alongside her avatar, Edwin. Through their virtual space adventures, young audiences will see Kenzie gain confidence and find success in the classroom. The opera is written by composer Frances Pollock and librettist Jessica Murphy Moo (who also wrote the libretto for last season’s An American Dream ). To maximize accessibility, participating schools enjoy the Opera in the Neighborhoods program at a minimal cost (there is a suggested donation of $65 per classroom), with bus scholarships offered for qualifying Chicago public schools. “This experience is so valued and important to the K-5 music educators that we literally wrote attending the Opera in the Neighborhoods performances into our curriculum!” says one enthusiastic teacher. Lyric is hosting a special free dress rehearsal of Earth to Kenzie for residents of the Chicago Housing Authority at the Gary Comer Youth Center. Families can attend public weekend performances (Sat.-Sun., Nov. 9-10, $10-20) at Vittum Theater in Noble Square. Go to lyricopera.org/kenzie for reservations and information. Lyric’s educational partner for this production is Codeverse, the world's first fully interactive coding studio and development platform for kids ages 6-13. Lyric’s Elementary Opera Residency is designed for classrooms with students in grades 1-5. “Many Chicago schools have little to no arts programming in the curriculum,” says Todd Snead, Lyric’s director of learning programs. “Lyric's residency programs afford students in these schools an opportunity to explore their creativity and talents.” Lyric works closely with professional teaching artists, many of whom have performance careers outside of Lyric. Imagination is key in this 12- to 18-week program; youngsters brainstorm, write, and eventually perform their very own operas—often spoofs on familiar stories. Students at Skinner Elementary School, for example, created a Harry Potter-inspired opera last fall, British accents and all. Children ages 5-10 (plus their parents, grandparents, and other relatives) are the focus of Family Day at Lyric , a spring Saturday full of behind-the-scenes adventure at the Lyric Opera House. Families explore the magnificent building, take part in arts and crafts projects, and watch live demonstrations of swordplay, music making, and other theatrical magic by Lyric professionals. It’s enchanting to see face-painted tigers, ladybugs, and fairies climbing Lyric’s grand staircase for the first time, lining up to try on costumes, posing for pictures, chiming in on a sing-along, and more. Family Day is a collaborative effort involving every department at Lyric, including stage performers, orchestra members, artisans, and administrative staff. Last spring’s Family Day welcomed approximately 1,000 people, 80 percent of whom were completely new to Lyric. Todd Rosenberg Family Day provides a wonderful look behind the scenes at Lyric. One attendee said, “Just being inside the Lyric Opera House makes you feel grand. You are transported away from whatever Chicago neighborhood you come from. All the guests are set on the same stage, with the same map, and the rest is up to us.” Lyric’s next Family Day is May 16, 11am—3pm ($5-$10). AGE 12-18 Once the opera-awareness seeds are planted, opportunities expand to engage in Lyric’s learning and community initiatives. Students can participate in Explore Opera (for grades 6-12) and the High School Choir Residency (for grades 9-12), components in the three-program opera residency format. In four sessions, Explore Opera allows for in-depth immersion, culminating in a field trip to a Lyric mainstage performance. Said one student participant, “It’s good to teach kids about opera because they probably think that it is silly or not important,” and another chimed in, “Everyone should go to the opera at least once.” The High School Choir Residency lasts a full academic year in weekly sessions with a Lyric professional teaching artist. Student participants are generally familiar with opera and have artistic goals on their own—and many achieve them. Senn Arts High School, a High School Choir Residency school for the past three years led by teaching artist Heather Aranyi, has seen many accomplishments. Last June, students in the residency were chosen to sing the National Anthem at a Cubs game to a packed stadium; and in August, Senn Art’s standout music student, Deianna Jones, was selected by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and Mayor Lori Lightfoot as a member of the 2019 Rising Star Honor Roll.