What is Opera Express?

Opera Express, Opera Carolina's educational touring company, engages children and families throughout the Carolinas with professional performances of opera for young people. These delightful productions help students understand and appreciate opera as an art form that integrates all of the fine arts and humanities. Performances are tailored to K-5 age groups with study guide activities that address NCSCOS standards in English Language Arts and Music.

Since 1971, Opera Express has served more than one million children with such favorites as The Billy Goats Gruff, An Aesop Odyssey, Pinocchio, How Nanita Learned to Make Flan, and more.

For more information or to request a 2008/2009 preview DVD, please contact Anderea Dock at Anderea@operacarolina.org or 704.332.7177, ext. 209.

2008/2009 Touring Season

Little Red's Most Unusual Day

Adaptation by John Davies

Little Red's Most Unusual Day is the well-known story of Little Red Riding Hood coming to life in an unusual setting. The Big Bad Wolf enjoys precious moments of glory until Dudley, the forest ranger, shows up to put a stop to his fun. In the end, Little Red learns that she must always follow her mother's rules.

Check back for Little Red's Most Unusual Day Study Guide.

The Three Little Pigs

Adaptation by John Davies; Set to the music of four famous Mozart operas: Don Giovanni, Cosi fan tutte, The Marriage of Figaro, and The Magic Flute.

Join The Three Little Pigs as they visit the library to learn how to build their houses. The characters of Cherbino, Despina and Don Giovanni are introduced as well as our first childhood villain, the Big Bad Wolf, who devilishly attempts to blow down the little pigs' houses.

Download The Three Little Pigs Study Guide for the synopsis, lessons, activities and other information (PDF, 618kb)

Touring Schedule

Opera Express will be touring in the fall and spring.

Fall

  • September 15-30
  • October 1-10
  • October 16-31
  • November 5-21

Spring

  • February 2-13
  • March 16-31
  • April 1-3

Teacher and Student Participation

Student participation
The artists provide an introduction and guided Q&A session after the performance.

Teacher Participation
Each performance site receives a Study Guide that provides a synopsis, vocabulary, and other information about the production, as well as a variety of Music and English Language Arts activities. Teachers are strongly encouraged to use the Study Guide before and after the performance.