Opera Quest

Introduction:

Hey! Guilford County students and Music Teachers! The 1999-2000 school year marks the 10th anniversary of Opera in Our School partnership. We celebrate with Rossini's Opera "La Cenerentola" (Cinderella). In this WebQuest we will explore the synopsis of the opera, Rossini's Biography and a picture of the Dallas Opera's 1994 production.

The Task:

In this Opera Quest you will read the "La Cenerentola" synopsis. You will complete and print out a cast list for the opera. You will create a 10 point story Time line. You will meet the composer: read his Biography and see a picture (painting). You will read a list of basic opera terms and complete an Opera Matching Quiz. You will see a picture from a recent production and write a description of the scene.

The Process:

At the computer:

• Click on Resources at top of the page. Click on Synopsis. Read synopsis and click on Back.
  
• Click on Cast List Worksheet to view and print worksheet. Complete worksheet. (you may need to use your synopsis for this).
  
• Click on Story Time line. View, print and complete the Time line. Decide what key events happen in the story between the beginning and the end. You should have at least 8 new entries.
  
• Click on Composer Biography. Read Rossini's Biography. Write down 3 important facts about the man and his music in your music journal. These facts must come from the copy and be of interest to you! You may add more facts if you wish.
  
• To view Rossini's painted portrait, click on Resources. Click on Composer Pictures. Scroll to highlighted name: Rossini. Click on it. Scroll down to bottom of Bio page under Portraits. Click on painting. View and close window.
  
• Click on Opera Terms under Resources. View and Read Opera Terms. Write a list of the most difficult words to understand in your Music Journal. When finished, complete the Opera Matching Quiz.
  
• Click on Opera Matching Quiz. Take this quiz online or print out and hand in. Be sure to put your name on the document.
  
• Click on See the Scene. Scroll to highlighted name: Rossini and click it. Scroll down to "La Cenerentola" and click it. Click on the word pictures. View the 2nd highlighted choice that starts with "Cecilia". Describe the scene. Who are the characters? Which scene is this? What is happening? Write your ideas in your music journal. Be ready to share your ideas in class. When you are finished, if you would like to see Rossini's actual Libretto, click Back on the top menu bar and then click on the word: libretto. Scroll down to the words: Atto Primo (1st Act) and click. View the sung dialogue between Cenerentola and her step sisters. Close window.

In the classroom:

1. Be prepared to hand in the completed Cast List and Story Time line.
2. Present your music journal notes to the class.
3. Discuss the plot of Rossini's version of Cinderella as compared to the Disney version.
4. Act out an updated version of the Opera.
5. Listen to, and sing along with several melodies from the Opera.

Resources:

Synopsis

Cast List Worksheet

Story Time Line

Composer Biography

Composer Pictures

Opera Matching Quiz

Opera Quiz Online

See the Scene

Evaluation: Student's work will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. Each student successfully completes each task.
2. Student participates is classroom discussion of the information.
3. Student will make a journal entry.
4. Spelling and grammar are correct.
5. Information is accurate.
6. Information is appropriate.

Conclusion: After completing this Opera WebQuest, students will have gained an understanding of the main characters (and their opera voices) in the opera, the main plot of the opera (synopsis), and a beginning knowledge of basic opera terminology.

GCS WebQuests