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Contents Wrestling with history 9 Arias to know in 11 Cast 3 Activity — Riddle me this 15 Overview & Synopsis 4 Activity — Are you twitterpated? 18 Composer Biography 6 Activity — That’s Nessun-ough 19 Q&A with director Rob Herriot 7 Activity — Dear Diary 20 Activity — Reviewer knows best 21 New to ? Be sure to check out our Activity — Storyboard 22 educator’s guide, Your Guide to Opera, available as a free download online. It is designed to supplement this guide and offers an overview of the history of opera, activities for your class and useful information about attending our education dress rehearsals with students.

Nothing beats the excitement of live opera!

For more information on how your class

can attend a dress rehearsal at special

student pricing, contact us by email at

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or visit us online at

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Special thanks to our education community partners: Photo Credits for all images: Reed Hummell, Nashville Opera’s Turandot, October 2015.

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Cast Geoffrey Sirett — Ping (baritone) (in order of vocal appearance) Government official/minister of the court

Michele Capalbo — Liu (soprano) James McLennan — Pang () A slave girl, old Timur’s caretaker Government official/minister of the court

David Pomeroy— Calaf (tenor) Christopher Mayell — Pong (tenor) Exiled prince of Tartary, Timur’s long lost son Government official/minister of the court

Dion Mazerolle— Mandarin (baritone) Matthew Bruce — Emperor Altoum (tenor) Emperor of China, Turandot’s father Giles Tomkins — Timur (bass-baritone) The exiled king of Tartary, Calaf’s father Othalie Graham — Turandot (soprano) Princess of China

3 Overview Synopsis

Turandot was Puccini’s final opera, left incomplete because The plot of Turandot in a minute of his untimely death in 1924. Since its completion and premiere in 1926, the opera has seen thousands of never wants to get married, so she poses productions across the world and has become an essential impossible riddles to her suitors. When they fail to answer, part of any opera house’s repertoire. she sentences them to death. Along comes Calaf, instantly falling for Turandot, and thinks he has what it takes to solve What makes Turandot so magical? For starters, this opera the princess’s riddles. Much to Turandot’s outrage, Calaf showcases grand master Puccini at his most mature and answers all three questions correctly. accomplished — the score of Turandot is extravagant while being precise, the characters are layered and complex, and Seeing Turandot upset, Calaf offers her a challenge: if she each aspect of the opera is larger than life. can learn his name by sunrise, Calaf will give up his life. But no matter how hard she tries, Turandot is unable to find out Further, Turandot is just a massive production that Calaf’s name. When she confronts him, Calaf is overcome by presents everything audiences love about opera. The emotion and kisses her. For the first time, Turandot feels costumes and scenery are opulent, the locale is exotic, the love. Her icy heart melts and she unites with Calaf in tunes are familiar, and the chorus fills the stage in almost marriage. every scene. Audiences are enthralled time and time again by the sensory delights of Turandot. Detailed Synopsis

Whether it is your first time at the opera or you are a Act One seasoned operagoer, Turandot is a must-see. It brings together story, emotions, and beautiful music in a Outside the Imperial Palace, a mandarin reads out a royal production that exhibits the power of live performance. proclamation: the Prince of Persia, who recently sought to marry Princess Turandot, will be executed because he failed to answer the princess’s three riddles. Any man who seeks Turandot’s hand in marriage must solve the riddles she poses; should he fail, he will be sentenced to death.

4 Listening to this announcement are an elderly man, Timur, Turandot to disavow marriage, asserting that no man will and his devoted helper, a girl named Liu. Calaf, who is also ever possess her. in the crowd, notices the pair and immediately recognizes Timur as his long-lost father. As the two men embrace in Turandot then poses three riddles to Calaf. To her surprise heartfelt reconciliation, the Prince of Persia is brought and anger, Calaf answers each riddle correctly. As the forward to face execution. The crowd pleads for him to be crowd celebrates Calaf’s success, Turandot remains angry. spared, but Princess Turandot appears and commands the Still determined to win her love, Calaf approaches Turandot execution to proceed. and serves her a challenge: if she can learn his name by sunrise, Calaf will give up his life. This brief appearance is all it takes — Calaf is in awe of Turandot’s beauty, and decides that he will try to win her Act Three love. Everyone in the crowd is horrified, including Liu (who is in love with Calaf) and Timur. Turandot’s three ministers Turandot commands that no one in the kingdom shall sleep Ping, Pang, and Pong, try to talk Calaf out of his fatal until she has found out the suitor’s name. An angry mob pursuit, but Calaf will listen to no one. He comforts Timur hunts down Liu and Timur, but Calaf tries to convince and Liu, then strikes the gong to announce himself as a new everyone that they do not know his name. suitor. Turandot enters and has Liu captured and tortured, but Liu Act Two does not give up Calaf’s name. She speaks directly to Turandot, wishing the princess to find love. Liu then takes a Ping, Pang, and Pong explain the number of men who have dagger and kills herself. The crowd gathers and takes her fallen to Turandot’s wrath, and hope that she will find love body away. soon. A crowd gathers as Calaf is presented to the court. Turandot’s father, Emperor Altoum, asks the young man to Now alone, Turandot confronts Calaf. Overcome with retract his proposal and live to see another day. Calaf emotions, Calaf kisses the princess and for the first time, politely declines. Turandot feels love. She begins to weep. Now knowing he has melted Turandot’s heart, Calaf reveals his identity. Turandot enters and sings of her ancestor, Princess Lou- In front of the entire court, Turandot announces that she Ling, who was abducted and killed by a prince. This wound has learned the stranger’s name: it is Love. has been passed down the generations and causes

5 Puccini experienced both failures and successes during his Composer Biography— lifetime, including the premiere of , which required the work to be adjusted before premiering again a (1858-1924) few months later (and received a much better reception the second time). He did not work easily with librettists, and Born Dec. 22, 1858, in Lucca, Italy, Giacomo Puccini was the Manon Lescaut lists only the composer, because fifth child (of eight) and first son born to Michele and approximately seven librettists worked on the piece at Albina Puccini. His family was musically inclined – in fact, some point. Puccini was obsessed with creating the perfect members of his family had held the position of music libretto and the perfect dramatic experience. director at the Cathedral of San Martino for decades. When his father died, the municipality of Lucca not only supplied At the time of his death, Turandot was incomplete. At its his family with a small pension, but held the music director premiere, it was performed as it had been written, but by position until Puccini came of age. the second performance, Franco Alfano had written an

additional two scenes based on Puccini’s notes and He was regularly sketches. exposed to opera, but it

was upon seeing Verdi’s Puccini’s personal life was also dramatic – he lived with a that Puccini married woman, Elvira Gemignani, and had a son with her, decided he wanted to finally marrying her in 1904 when her first husband died. compose for the art By 1901, he had been in two automobile accidents, and died form. With the help of a at the age of 65 on Nov. 29, 1924, of a heart attack in grant from the Queen of Brussels, shortly after surgery for throat cancer. A funeral Italy, he was able to was held in Brussels before his body was moved to Milan, attend the Milan where there was a second funeral. He is buried with his Conservatory, and wife and son in Torre del Lago. studied under Antonio

Bazzini and Amilcare Ponchielli.

6 How do you think the scenery and Q & A with director costumes (originally designed by Allen Charles Klein) support the narrative of Rob Herriot Turandot?

Rob Herriot is a master of the stage. From a technical point of view, the set Having previously directed The Magic design gives me lots of places to put Flute (2015) and The Mikado (2012), singers where they can be seen and heard, Edmonton audiences are familiar with his against a backdrop that is very beautiful talent for superbly theatrical productions. and does, in fact, help tell the story. Some Turandot will be no different. With opulent sets and costumes are purely functional scenery, costumes, and some of the best and sometimes get in the way of singers in Canada, Herriot is ready to storytelling, but this is the perfect example showcase his directing chops alongside of designs that support the narrative and Puccini’s timeless composition! action in every way, while giving us something pretty to What can audiences look forward to with Turandot? look at.

I am very excited about Turandot because it brings a How do you approach the character of Turandot? vibrant production to that is traditional, yet not traditional. The scenery design reflects the ancient I love the character of Turandot. Her strength and her fairytale world that the opera takes place in — the iconic fierceness are amazing, but what I always find troublesome dragon and the pearl of wisdom are focal points that tell the is her sudden transition from a place of fierceness to this story. We also have a remarkable cast that will make the loving, soft woman. The journey I want to see is the ice music come alive and, of course, Puccini’s music itself is one melting: both elements, the anger and the loving heart, have of his best compositions. So when you bring the scenery, to be present from the start in order to make the character music, and stellar singing together, you have a pretty believable. Of course, her anger is a lot more obvious wonderful evening to look forward to. throughout the opera, but without multiple layers the character of Turandot can become very black and white. It is very exciting for me to be given this character as it allows me to work with the singer to try and find those layers.

7 Have you worked with our Turandot (Othalie Graham) What makes Turandot the must-see opera this year? and Calaf (David Pomeroy) before? The spectacle in Turandot is something that you have to I only know Othalie by reputation, and I hear she is a experience live to believe. The music is highly demanding, terribly exciting singer. She has performed the role of which for me is like witnessing an Olympic sport. I want to Turandot many, many times and will bring a world of magic see the singers soar and I want to see them triumph over to this production. I have known David Pomeroy for a long the music, because when that happens, it is absolutely time; in fact, we went to opera school in Toronto together. glorious. Especially if you are a first time operagoer, He is a remarkable singer, and he only gets better with age. Turandot is a must-see. It brings an evening of exciting This is David’s role debut as Calaf, and it is extremely energy and vocal gymnastics, and you will certainly leave exciting for me to be able to work with him on it. the theatre humming Puccini’s sublime tunes. To watch the video interview, head to Edmonton Opera’s How does Turandot highlight the best of Puccini’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/8eZRunImpvY music?

Turandot was the last opera Puccini wrote, and towards the end, he was able to compose some very dynamic music because he started choosing characters and stories that were strong and interesting. In Turandot, Puccini adds a mixture of anger and softness into a character who cannot admit that she is in love. This infuses the music with a whole new intensity. It captures the terrifying fierceness of Turandot while bringing joyous music in Calaf’s soaring ‘’. The tender and moving music of Liu and Timur also contrasts with Turandot’s anger. The score is thus full of energy and takes you on a very dramatic journey.

8 undefeated wrestling champion of the Mongol Empire. Wrestling with history: the Khutlun’s achievements are well documented, including by origins of princess Turandot the Italian explorer . He wrote of Khutulun’s resolve to abstain from marriage, vowing that she would only marry if the suitor could defeat her in a wrestling Puccini’s final opera, Turandot (1926), is based on Carlo match. Not only that, Khutulun asked each suitor to wager Gozzi’s play of the same name (1762). Gozzi, however, was 100 horses before stepping into the ring. If he lost, she himself inspired by a story found in François Pétis de la would keep the horses. And she did. Croix’s collection of writings from

1712. Khutulun’s beauty attracted suitors

from far and wide, but she kept Pétis de la Croix was a French traveller winning and ultimately ended up with who made his way across the Middle some 10,000 horses! (That number is East, learning Arabic and translating likely a slight exaggeration). One important cultural works into French. particularly arrogant suitor even While writing a biography of the great wagered 1000 horses instead of the Mongol emperor Genghis Khan, Pétis usual hundred, but despite putting up a de la Croix stumbled upon the exciting good fight, he lost to Khutulun. history of a warrior princess named

Khutulun. Eventually, Khutulun did marry, but

not just for love. Since she had Khutulun was a Mongol princess born refrained from marriage for so long, in 1260. Her father, Khan, was rumours started swirling that the Mongol conqueror of China and the Khutulun had an uncomfortably close great-grandson of Genghis Khan. relationship with her father Kaidu. To Khutulun often joined Kaidu on the suppress this gossip and to uphold the battlefield, becoming known for her kingdom’s reputation, Khutulun chose courage and strength. Her greatest a man she liked and married him. claim to fame, however, was her skill as a wrestler — Khutulun was the

9 When Pétis de la Croix learned of Khutulun’s legendary Exoticism: “In music, exoticism is a genre in which the status, he was inspired to write a story about her. For rhythms, melodies, or instrumentation are designed to dramatic effect and to make Khutulun’s tale more evoke the atmosphere of far-off lands or ancient times”. fantastical, he significantly altered a lot of details. Firstly, he Puccini strove for a semblance of Asian authenticity (at changed her name to ‘Turandot’, a combination of Persian least to Western ears) by using music from the region in words meaning daughter (dot) from Central Asia (Turan). question. Up to eight of the themes used in Turandot Turandot also had nothing to do with wrestling or sport; appear to be based on traditional Chinese music and instead of challenging suitors in the ring, she now threw anthems, and the melody of a Chinese song named "Mò Li impossibly difficult riddles at them. Hūa (茉莉花)", or "Jasmine", is included as a motif for the princess. Although Pétis de la Croix created a new character that was very distinct from Khutulun, his story did maintain her Pentatonic Scale - A scale made up of five pitches. The most portrayal as resolute and strong-willed. In all subsequent common pentatonic scale includes the pitches C-D-E-G-A, adaptations, including Puccini’s opera, Turandot is a figure although other combinations of intervals are possible, of authority that cannot be underestimated. including some that have a more “minor” inflection to Western ears. The black keys on a piano keyboard form While the story of Khutulun has evolved, passing through another pentatonic scale. Pentatonic scales have been used centuries of Western orientalist fantasy, her heroism is still in music from many cultures and throughout history, from the stuff of legend in cultures that trace their roots to the China, Japan, and Java to folk music from Scotland and Mongol Empire. Hungary, as well as in American popular music, especially the African-American spiritual, jazz, Motown, and rock. Even in contemporary popular culture, Khutulun has made a comeback — Netflix’s internationally produced $90 million series Marco Polo features Khutulun prominently. So what makes Khutulun’s story endure? Perhaps it is the sheer defiance with which she lived; an attitude that Marco Polo notes: Khutulun would never let herself be vanquished, if she could help it.

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Arias to know in Turandot Italian

1) ‘Nessun dorma’, opening of Act Three Nessun dorma! Nessun dorma! Tu pure, o, Principessa, Excerpt nella tua fredda stanza, guardi le stele https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTFUM4Uh_6Y che tremano d'amore e di speranza. Luciano Pavarotti with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Zubin Mehta, 1990. Ma il mio mistero è chiuso in me, il nome mio nessun sapra ‘Nessun dorma’ is the first piece of the final act of Turandot. In the act before this aria, Calaf has correctly answered the No, no, sulla tua bocca three riddles presented to him by Princess Turandot. lo dir quando la luce splender Nonetheless, she recoils at the thought of marrying him. Calaf offers her another chance by challenging her to guess Ed il mio bacio scioglierà his name by dawn. (As he kneels before her, the "Nessun Il silenzio che ti fa mia! dorma" theme makes its first appearance, to his words, "Il mio nome non sai!") If she finds out his name, she can (Il nome suo nessun saprà execute him; but if she does not, she must marry him. The E noi dovrem, ahimè, morir!) cruel and cold princess then decrees that none of her subjects shall sleep that night until the stranger’s name is Dilegua, o notte! discovered. If they fail, all will be killed. Tramontate, stelle! Tramontate, stelle! As the final act opens, it is now night. Calaf is alone in the All'alba vincerò! moonlit palace gardens. In the distance, he hears Vincerò! Vincerò! Turandot's heralds proclaiming her command. His aria begins with an echo of their cry and a reflection on Princess Turandot.

11 English 2. ‘’, Act Two

No one sleeps.... no one sleeps, Excerpt Even you, O Princess, In your cold room, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-GV5t5XLjg Watch the stars Which tremble with love And hope! Birgit Nillson and Franco Corelli, Macerata Opera Festival, 1971 But my secret is locked within me, No one shall know my name! About the Piece No, no, I shall say it on your mouth When the light breaks! In this aria, Turandot explains that she created the three

riddles as a test for any prince who might want to marry And my kiss will break her. She explains that in the same palace, countless the silence that makes you mine! generations ago (thousands of years ago), the reigning

Princess Lo-u-Ling was conquered by the King of the (No-one shall know his name, Tartars, raped and murdered. In particular, she dwells upon and we, alas, shall die!) the Princess' final crying out and her moment of death at

Vanish, o night! the hands of a man. Based on the memory and the concept of that crying out having been carried down through many Set, ye stars! generations to Turandot herself, she resolves to avenge that Set, ye stars! death by imposing it on all men who fail in the attempt to At dawn I shall win! marry her. She warns the prince that if he fails to answer I shall win! I shall win! any one of the three riddles, he will die.

12 3. ‘Tu che di gel sei cinto’, Act Three Vanquished by such fire, You will love him, too! Excerpt Having spoken, Liù seizes a dagger from a soldier's belt and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-Gsj70wPrg stabs herself.

Leona Mitchell, Placido Domingo, Paul Plishka. Though only 8 lines long, the aria marks a keystone of act 3 and, in its contrast between Liù and Turandot, of the opera About the Piece as a whole.

The lyrics to this piece were actually written by Puccini Text and Translation himself. It is sung by Liù under torture, prior to her suicide. Turandot is clearly taken by Liù's resolve and asks her who Italian put so much strength in her heart. Liù answers "Princess, Love!" , da tanta fiamma vinta, TURANDOT l’amerai anche tu!… Chi pose tanta forza nel tuo cuore? Prima di questa aurora io chiudo stanca gli occhi, LIÙ perché Egli vinca ancora… Principessa, l'amore! Per non vederlo più! Prima di questa aurora, TURANDOT io chiudo stanca gli occhi L'amore? per non vederlo più!

English Turandot demands that Ping tear the Prince's name from Liù, and he orders her to be tortured. Liù counters You, who are enclosed in ice, Turandot: Conquered by such flame,

You will love him, too! You who are enclosed by ice, Before the dawn,

13 I will wearily close my eyes, So he can win again… And I will never see him no more! Before the dawn, I will wearily close my eyes, And I will never see him no more!

14 3. Reflecting on the brainstorming you did in the Activities previous step, select three to five key words and look them up in a thesaurus. Activity — Riddle me this! 4. Use figurative language. Figurative language uses Grades 4 and up, pre-performance activity words or expressions with a different meaning than the literal meaning. For example, similes or In Turandot, Princess Turandot poses three riddles to each metaphors describe an object by comparing it to of her suitors, in order to evade marriage and prevent other objects. others from pursuing her. In this activity, students will use their wits to create their own set of riddles. Below are the variations of Turandot’s riddles through different versions, namely ’s 1762 play, Activity: ’s 1801 play, and Puccini’s 1926 opera. Turandot used riddles to protect something she valued: her respect for her ancestors. The suffering of her ancestor, Gozzi’s Turandot Princess Lou-Ling, was so important to her that she vowed to never marry – that is, unless someone could solve all Riddle Number One three of her difficult riddles. Students will put themselves in Turandot’s shoes, and come up with some new riddles for We notice her presence in lands high and low, her. The following steps should help students to write their In cities, the country—wherever we go… own riddles: In war, as in peace, she is safe in her place And everyone living has looked on her face. 1. Select an answer – look around the room for She is friendly to all and she strives for our gain, inspiration, or choose one of your favourite things. Yet her unequalled splendor can drive men insane. Remember to choose something that is a concrete You know who she is, but don’t know that you do— answer. Now answer me, stranger—my riddle is through.

2. Brainstorm around your answer. Write down Answer: The Sun everything that comes to mind about the answer that you’ve chosen.

15 Riddle Number Two Schiller’s Turandot

The tree in which the hours of human life are told Riddle Number One Is as young as a newborn infant, Yet infinitely old. A tree on which men grow and fade; Its leaves are white on one side, Old as the world, yet ever new; On the other, black as sable. Its leaves, on one side, live in shade, Tell me what this tree is, On th’ other bears the sun’s bright show. Prince, if you are able. Each time it blooms a ring it wears, It tells the age of each event. Answer: A Year Upon its bark men’s names it bears, Forgotten e’er its life be spent. Riddle Number Three What is this tree, so young, so old, So sunny warm, so icy cold? Tell me the name of the kingly beast Who makes the world tremble and ruins his foes, Answer: A Year Still mighty today as he was in the past, Winged and four-footed, in active repose. Riddle Number Two His hindquarters rest on the restless seas, His breast and his forepaws cover the sand. Canst thou the fragile mirror name, His untiring wings will never cease Reflecting all creation on its limpid face; To cast their protection over the land. ‘Tis closed within a narrow frame, Yet compasses high heav’n’s blue vault of endless space. Answer: The Lion of St. Mark This crystal is of priceless worth, But yet the poor possess it, nor possession pay; It is the brightest gem on earth, It gives and yet receives its heaven-born brilliant ray. What is this mirror bright and clear, Free given to all, to all so dear?

16 Answer: The Eye Riddle Number Two

Riddle Number Three It flickers like flame, and is not flame! Sometimes it rages! It’s feverish, impetuous, burning! What is that thing, held cheap as dust, But idleness changes it to languor! Yet honor’d by the Emperor’s hand? If you’re defeated or lost, it grows cold! ‘Tis made to pierce, with sword’s keen thrust, If you dream of winning, if flames! But sheds no blood, tho’ wounds like sand, Its voice is faint, but you listen; it gleams as bright as the In number deep inflicts; robs none; sunset!” Enriches thousands; rules the earth; Makes life with ease and smoothness run; Answer: Blood Has founded kingdoms; ended dearth; Most ancient cities it has built, Riddle Number Three But ne’er caused war, nor war’s sad guilt. Ice that sets you on fire and by your own fire is made more Answer: A Plough icy! Perfectly pure and dark! Puccini’s Turandot If it sets you free, it makes you a slave! If it accepts you as a slave, it makes you a King. Riddle Number One Answer: Turandot In the gloomy night an iridescent phantom flies. It spreads its wings and rises over dark, infinite humanity! Everyone invokes it, everyone implores it! But the phantom disappears at dawn to be reborn in the heart! And every night it’s born and every day it dies!

Answer: Hope

17 Activity — Are you Twitterpated? maximum of 140 characters, and could include the use of hashtags (#) and usernames (@), or any other During intermission and after performance, Grades 7 & up shortened language forms. 3. Have students create an “Emoji Story” to tell the Twitter allows people, in 140 characters or less, to share story of the Opera: they can do this by recreating their immediate thoughts and feelings with anyone person specific scenes/arias, or summarizing the plot of the interested in reading the tweets. Similarly, the use of arias opera as a whole. The stories created should focus within an opera allows characters to communicate an on struggles and triumphs of the characters, or emotional state to the audience. Most were written themes presented in the opera. Encourage students long before computer technology. What might characters in to take multiple approaches to the project: they can an opera tweet if Twitter was available to them? be funny, creative, clever, etc. Guiding Questions for Discussion Choose one of the following: 1. Have students tweet about their Dress Rehearsal • How do the tweets deepen our understanding of the performance by “Live-Tweeting” the event. Have characters, plot, or themes of the opera? students create 5-10 Tweets about the opera: the • What are the limitations of this form for personal plot, their reactions, etc. Tweets are restricted to a expression? What are the benefits of such a form? maximum of 140 characters, and could include the Identify and compare the uses of Standard English use of hashtags (#) and usernames (@), or any other • and slang in the tweets. How does their use change shortened language forms. Have students read their the meaning of the text? tweet aloud to the class and tweet them to How does communicating via twitter differ from @EdmontonOpera. Encourage the students to be • clever, funny, or start a conversation. other forms of language? 2. Working individually or in groups, students will • How does this affect how others view your write 15-20 tweets from the perspective of one or experiences? more characters in the opera. The tweets should provide not only a synopsis of the entire plot but should also serve to reveal the motivations and feelings of the characters or convey some of the themes of the opera. Tweets are restricted to a

18 Activity — That’s Nessun-ough • New York Stories – Life Lessons: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vxu7-Rwhlys Grades 5 and up, pre-performance Guiding Questions for Discussion

This activity will allow students to explore the relationship As a group, engage students to consider/discuss any of the between opera and popular culture by focusing on one very following: famous aria, ‘Nessun Dorma’ from Turandot. Students will be able to explain the effect that allusion to opera has on • How do the directors make use of the aria? Does it our understanding of contemporary art. add emotional content, dramatic tension, comedic value, etc.? Although opera is over 400 years old, it continues to • What purpose does the Pop Culture version serve? Is influence popular culture today. Using the links or video it effective? If so, in what ways is it effective? If not, sharing websites such as YouTube, watch one or more of why? the following (teachers may watch videos beforehand to • How does the Pop Culture version compare to the determine if these videos are appropriate to show their Traditional version? You may answer this question class): after seeing the opera. • Why would Pop Culture choose Opera, or at least the • KIA – The Matrix: allusion to opera, to convey their message? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjnFWcr6s3A • Can you think of other ways Opera has influenced • Daredevil (Netflix) - modern culture? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lO61TCgbMas • Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation o Scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU2TU-- E6OE o With Commentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw6MB gOs1jU

19 Activity — Dear Diary

Guiding Questions for Discussion Grades 4 and up, post-performance

• Foundations: In this activity, students will try to further understand the o How old are you? Where are you from? characters in the performance that they have just watched Where do you live now? Do you have any by doing an in depth character study. Guide the students family that we know of? What are your through the following discussion questions to understand friends/family like? their character’s motivations, strengths, struggles, etc. o What is your relationship with the other character in the opera like? How would your Activity: friends/family describe you in three words? (Think of mental, physiological, and physical Have students consider the characters and the role they characteristics) play in the story. Divide the students into groups, and have o What is your best quality? What are your each student choose a character to research. Students will greatest strengths and weaknesses? need to create a series of journal entries which reflect • Getting deeper: conflicts present throughout the story of the opera that o What are your dreams and goals? What your class went to see. They can write all of their entries on drives you to try to reach those goals? How one character, or write a few entries for multiple does this affect the choices your character characters. makes in the story? What steps in the opera do you take to achieve your objective? TURANDOT | CALAF | LIU | TIMUR | PING | PANG | PONG o What obstacles stand in your way? Are there any obstacles that are beyond your control Students should write 5-10 entries in total, and should do a (social status, other character’s actions, laws, character study to first to help them understand their etc.)? How will you overcome those characters more. The character study should be handed in challenges? What are the outcomes of your with the journal entries. Students should use the following choices? questions to help understand the characters.

20 o Looking back from the end-point of the Activity — The Reviewer Knows Best opera, would you have done anything differently? Post-performance activity, grades 4 and up • Today: o Are there any characters in modern-day After watching Turandot with your class, allow students to television, literature, movies, theatre, etc., reflect on and describe what they experienced by creating a that remind you of the character that you newspaper review. Encourage students to share their chose? Are there any characters with similar review with the rest of the class. characteristics or traits? If your character were alive today, how o Activity: would they be more or less successful? What

might they have done differently to achieve You have been hired by the Edmonton Journal to write a their objectives? review of Edmonton Opera’s Turandot. Be sure to focus on • How is the character’s personality expressed choices that were made by the artistic team: the sets, through the music of the opera? lighting, costumes, casting, etc. You can also describe areas such as the mood, motifs and themes of the opera. And don’t forget to include a captivating title! Allow students to present their reviews to classmates in small groups or as a class.

21 Activity — Storyboard Action, and Resolution/Dénouement/ Catastrophe. After filling in their storyboard with those elements, have them present their Grades 4 and up, post-performance activity storyboard to the class.

b. Option B: They will need to divide the story A storyboard is a sequence of drawings, typically with some of the opera into five specific sections: Setting directions and dialogue, representing the shots planned for (Time and Place), Characters, Problem, and a movie or television production. It can be used to the main events or the plot. After they have graphically represent the main elements of the plot filled in that information in their storyboard, (exposition, climax, etc.), or focus on the general plot, they can present it to the class. setting, and characters. 4. For younger students, consider filling out the In this activity, students will reflect on the performance of storyboard as a class, focusing on Characters, Turandot that they just attended, and create a storyboard to Setting/Place, Time, Problem, and Events. Next, have represent some of the aspects of the production. the students fill in their own individual copies to

take home. Activity: 5. Remind students that there is more than one correct

answer for this assignment. For example, students 1. Choose one of the provided storyboard templates might have a different idea of what event is the for your class to work on, or create your own to “climax”, or have differing opinions on what the better suit the learning needs of your students. “problem” of the opera is. 2. Divide your students into groups of 3-5 and provide 6. Below are the two templates for this assignment: each group with templates for a storyboard. For added creativity, they can construct their own, so long as it includes the same elements as the template that you select. 3. Explain to the class that their task is to fill in the elements of their storyboard with aspects of the story of the opera that your class went to see. a. Option A: They will need to divide the plot of the opera into five specific elements: Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling

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CHARACTERS CHARACTERS

SETTING SETTING PLACE TIME PLACE TIME

PROBLEM PROBLEM

EVENTS EVENTS

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