An operatic version of the classic tale, set to music from Mozart's beloved operas

(suitable for grades K-5)
By John Davies

TOUR DATES: January-April, 2012.

For more information or to schedule a performance:
Contact Sarah Jones, Education & Outreach Coordinator, at 414-291-5700 ext. 214.

"Once upon a time, there were three little pigs named Despina, Cherubino and Don Giovanni...." Join these three friends for a charming 45-minute performance introducing young audiences to the beauty of live opera.

From the composer who brought us The Billy Goats Gruff, Little Red’s Most Unusual Day, Pinocchio and Jack and the Beanstalk comes another clever tale that introduces children to opera. Due to popular demand, The Three Little Pigs are back to entertain students, touring local and regional schools and public community venues for ten weeks beginning January 17, 2012.

The Three Little Pigs feature the vocal talents of the 2011-2012 Florentine Opera Studio Artists. These artists-in-residence will portray the beloved characters and facilitate a question and answer session with audiences, designed to give children access to a behind-the-scenes perspective and further their knowledge of opera.

The Florentine Opera Company provides teachers with resources* to enhance student's learning experience by providing supplementary opera and music education materials, and connecting the program to Wisconsin Academic Standards. Using visual, aural and action methods, The Three Little Pigs exposes students to opera in a multi-disciplinary format. Additionally, students receive the developmental benefits of arts education, such as expanded abstract thinking and problem solving abilities, increased interest in self-expression, and a venue to enhance self-discipline, communication skills, perseverance and leadership.

MPS Educators:

*Click here to download the Teachers Resource Guide for The Three Little Pigs.

Apply here to bring a free performance of The Three Little Pigs to your school!

Synopsis

It's time for a sister and her two brother pigs to go out into the world, seek their fortunes and make homes of their own. Despina is far wiser than her brothers, Don Giovanni and Cherubino. She goes to the library to learn all about "huff-proof, puff-proof" home construction, while brother pigs Don Giovanni and Cherubino set off to make homes of sticks and straw, because they are too busy playing games to read. After Wolfgang Bigbad blows down the boys’ flimsy homes, they run to their sister’s sturdy new brick house quite ready to admit that going to the library and reading books is a pretty smart thing to do after all. Wolfgang suffers a hard fall through the chimney, but is well enough to join the pigs in a final song which praises the value of libraries for everyone!

Length: 45 minutes
Performed in English