Presenting Pinocchio: An Opera Education Program With Class

Touring program will bring opera to thousands of local and regional students

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin—November 24, 2008—The Florentine Opera Company is pleased to present Pinocchio, a touring opera education program designed to introduce students in K4 through fifth grade to the opera art form. Pinocchio tells the tale of a classic Italian folk story, adapted and written by renowned arts educator John Davies.  Sung in English, this engaging 45-minute performance is set to the music of Mozart, Donizetti, Offenbach, Pergolesi, Sullivan and Verdi.  Through a charming mix of song, dance, drama and hilarity, children learn along with Pinocchio to tell the truth, and to ask for help when they need it.

Pinocchio will tour local and regional schools and public community venues for nine weeks, beginning January 5, 2009. It features the vocal talents of the 2008-09 Florentine Opera Studio Artists. Resident artists Greer Davis-Brown (soprano), Colleen Brooks (mezzo soprano), Rafael Luquis (tenor) and Todd von Felker (baritone) 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 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, Pinocchio 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.