THE LITTLE MERMAID With free opera curriculum for schools and families

Beginning March 15, teachers, parents, and schools across the country will have access to Des Moines Metro Opera’s Virtual Opera Curriculum, an online music education suite offered as part of the organization’s OPERA Iowa program.

This engaging virtual curriculum teaches students the basics of opera and ends with a professional, filmed performance of the children’s opera Rusalka: The Little Mermaid.

The curriculum series will be available for classes from March 15 to July 2, 2021 and includes short informational videos such as “What is Opera?” and “How do you sing like that?” as well as related activities, worksheets, and games to increase student engagement and test understanding.

This year’s OPERA Iowa virtual offerings will be made available free of charge to teachers and schools across the country for the first time. To date, over 200 teachers from 10 states and Canada have requested materials. This makes this year’s program the most far-reaching OPERA Iowa tour to date. “I was thrilled to receive the DMMO postcard regarding the OPERA Iowa Virtual Opportunity. In our school district, your artists have loved performing for our students for many years, and we love that you find a way to keep kids busy with music through opera, “said Jane Emry Becker, an elementary music educator from Urbandale, IA.

“I can’t wait for students, teachers, and families across Iowa and beyond to experience our revamped OPERA Iowa programming,” said Michael Egel, general and artistic director of Des Moines Metro Opera. “Now our professional artists will connect with students of all ages across the country through a fully digital medium, offering professional theater experiences and music education opportunities of the highest quality.”

The virtual opera curriculum culminates in a fully staged, filmed performance of Rusalka: The Littlest Mermaid, a children’s opera that uses the music of the most famous opera by Czech composer Antonin Dvorak, Rusalka. This charming adaptation, developed by director Joshua Borths, takes the audience on the journey of a lifetime. Meet Rusalka as she follows her heart’s desire to become human. But when her magical pact with the sea witch requires her to give up her voice, Rusalka’s life and love are in jeopardy. However, don’t be fooled. In contrast to the original Czech story, this opera ends happily. Rusalka: The littlest mermaid is amazing because our heroes risk everything to become who they should always be.

Rusalka: The Littlest Mermaid showcases the talent of professional artists from across the country who traveled to Iowa in February to rehearse, direct, and film the performance over an 18-day period. The artists of the 2021 OPERA Iowa troupe are: soprano Cadie J. Bryan from Baton Rouge, Louisiana (Rusalka); Soprano Gabrielle Clutter from Indianola, Iowa (Rusalka’s sister & prince sister); Mezzo-soprano Quinn Middleman of Vancouver, Washington (The Sea Witch); Tenor Andrew Turner from Tacoma, Washington (the Prince); and soprano Lindsey von Holten of Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Rusalka’s sister). The music director and pianist is Kyle Naig from Des Moines, Iowa. Joshua Borths of Cincinnati, Ohio directed the performance. This new production features scenic design by Robert Sunderman of Ames, Iowa, and costume, wig and makeup designs by Catherine Mason of New Haven, Connecticut.

To request the Des Moines Metro Opera’s Virtual Opera curriculum, please visit www.desmoinesmetroopera.org/operaiowa/ and complete the online request form.