Opera Outing: Discovering Carmen
Event Overview
This year, our Little Symphony program is in full swing, offering exceptional musical outings that provide children and teenagers with a high-quality musical experience while fostering values of sharing and togetherness!
On Saturday, November 16, 2024, the EFBA team is excited to take your children to the prestigious SF Opera to experience Carmen by Georges Bizet. This opera, one of the most famous in the world, tells the passionate story of Carmen, a free-spirited and rebellious woman, and the soldier Don José. With its captivating rhythm, accessible music, and dynamic staging, Carmen is a must-see for introducing young people to the world of opera.
To ensure your child fully enjoys and appreciates the performance, we’ve planned an online activity one week before the outing to the SF Opera. This interactive and engaging session will help participants build a solid understanding of Carmen in a fun and informative way.
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Educational goals
These planned activities aim to:
- Explore the story of Carmen and its main characters.
- Understand the opera’s setting, along with its cultural and historical context.
- Learn about different vocal types (soprano, alto, tenor, bass, and children’s voices) and their specific roles in an opera.
- Delve into the history and culture of Andalusia.
- Examine Andalusia’s influence on southwestern France, especially through cultural elements like bullrings and bullfighting.
- Discuss animal welfare issues related to bullfighting, fostering thoughtful discussion and reflection.
Registration for this activity includes:
- An online session (via Zoom) on Saturday, November 9 2024, led by Valentin Desmarets, a certified music teacher, and Julia Peillon, Director of Cultural Programs.
- A ticket to see Carmen at the SF Opera on Saturday, November 16, 2024. Gabrielle Durana, president of EFBA, will supervise the group of participants.
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Cultural Focus Fascinating Facts About Georges Bizet’s Opera Carmen
Literary Inspiration and Early Reception Carmen is based on a novella of the same name by Prosper Mérimée, written in 1845. Mérimée was inspired by a true story he encountered during a trip to Spain.
When Carmen premiered in 1875, it received mixed reviews. Some audience members found its themes of passion and seduction shocking and immoral. The character of Carmen herself—a strong, independent, and free-spirited woman—was particularly revolutionary for the time, challenging traditional gender norms.
Sadly, Bizet passed away just three months after the premiere, never knowing that his opera would go on to achieve worldwide acclaim.
Influences on Popular Culture Georges Bizet’s Carmen has had a profound impact on popular culture. It has been adapted into films, television shows, and ballets, captivating generations with its vibrant music and themes. Film adaptations by directors like Cecil B. DeMille and ballets such as Rodion Shchedrin’s Carmen Suite illustrate the opera’s ability to transcend artistic and cultural boundaries. Carmen continues to inspire fashion, visual art, and even contemporary music, demonstrating its lasting influence and status as a timeless classic.
Fun Fact About the Premiere of Carmen During the premiere of Carmen at the Opéra-Comique in Paris, a live monkey was part of the on-stage animals. The monkey escaped during the performance, causing quite a commotion among the actors and the audience! |
When:
- Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM (PST): Join us online via Zoom for an interactive session to explore Carmen and gain essential knowledge before attending the opera.
- Saturday, November 16, 2024, from 7:00 PM to 10:20 PM: Opera outing to experience Carmen live.
Location for the Opera Outing: San Francisco War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102
Schedule for the Opera Outing:
- 7:00 PM: Families meet in front of the War Memorial Opera House (301 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco).
- 7:30 PM: Opera performance begins.
- 10:20 PM: Opera concludes; families pick up their children.
Target Audience: Teens aged 10 to 15 with at least two years of recent French study or equivalent. A proficiency test is required for students not enrolled in our 2024-2025 afterschool program.
Only 9 spots available! Register your child today.
Prices & registration:
- EFBA students: $44
- Regular price: $49
PAST ADVENTURES
| Dates | Description |
|---|---|
| Sunday, March 12th, 2023, 9:30 to 11:00 am PST | Let’s go to West Africa, in Mali, for an extraordinary investigation! Commissioner Poirot has been looking for the singers Amadou and Mariam for several days, but they have disappeared! That’s a puzzler… Our young investigators decide to go to Mali and follow their tracks. Through clues, challenges and encounters, they will get to know the two artists better and discover different facets of the music and culture of this amazing West African country. |
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