Opera Goes to School

Seattle Opera is heading back in elementary schools this week with Opera Goes to School. This educational program gets students involved in creating an opera—they sing, dance, play instruments, and create costumes—and the week-long residency culminates in a performance for students, teachers, and their families.

For the second year, the program will present Siegfried and the Ring of Fire, an adaptation of Wagner’s Siegfried (with a few borrowed plot points from Die Walküre). Created by Education Artistic Administrator Jonathan Dean, this adaptation is an hour-long kid-friendly English opera, with roles for up to 60 students (onstage or in the orchestra). Members of Seattle Opera’s Young Artists Program sing the roles of Wagner’s gods, goddesses, and heroes.

Siegfried and the Ring of Fire is directed by Vanessa Miller, with teaching artist RJ Tancioco performing in the opera and leading the student orchestra. The opera features sets and props designed by Phillip Lienau, costumes by Deborah Skorstad, movement designed by Gordon Carpenter, and puppets created by Brian Kooser.

Opera Goes to School will go to six local elementary schools this winter: Lawton Elementary in Seattle (January 25-28), Cottonwood Elementary in Yakima (February 2-5), Lakeland Hills in Auburn (February 9-12), Saint Benedict’s in Seattle (February 16-19), and Evergreen School in Shoreline (February 23-26). Read the press release or visit the website for more information.