SO THIS IS OPERA! PRESENTS
THE GINGERBREAD MAN & THE THREE BEARS Operas
Sing-a-long operas for children in pre-school through second grade
Composed by Lyric Soprano Yvette Lewis
Arranged by Grammy Nominee, Jimmy Hammer
Mixed and Mastered by Paris Hollins, Studio House North
THE GINGERBREAD MAN and THE THREE BEARS are operatic adaptations of two timeless classics for children that will:
• Provide a fun-filled way to learn the concept of opera as a “singing story”
• Introduce new words and melodies to familiar fairy tales
• Be a gateway to traditional opera and other classical music
This collection is the culmination of years of study and my work with children in music. My love for opera was the catalyst that led to the composition of The Gingerbread Man and The Three Bears. The intent was to introduce children in preschool through second grade to the concept of opera as a “singing story”. I used familiar fairy tales as a link to the unfamiliar world of opera.
Once the work was completed, I piloted The Gingerbread Man and The Three Bears in schools in eight states. I taught the children the music, added simple staging and they performed the “operas” for parents. The response was the same in each state. Children loved it, parents wanted to buy a copy to take home, and teachers wanted a way to continue to use the operas with students.
This collection can be a wonderful gateway to Hansel and Gretel, The Magic Flute, La Boheme and a host of other operas and classical works. The Gingerbread Man and The Three Bears are sure to bring hours of listening pleasure at home, school, library, summer camp or just about any place kids gather to learn and have fun.
Yvette Lewis brings a unique background to this endeavor. She is a lyric soprano who has performed extensively throughout the eastern seaboard including appearances with the Washington Opera, Baltimore Opera and Opera Theater of Northern Virginia, the Baltimore Symphony and Spoleto Festival in Melbourne Australia. She currently performs in over 200 schools a year, bringing her love of opera to thousands of children. She also conducts arts integration workshops for teachers. Ms. Lewis currently serves on the White House Commission for Presidential Scholars. She has also taught elementary general music and written music curriculum for Maryland public schools.
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