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Issue: Vol 2, No 2, Winter 2002

Three Little Pigs - The Opera

The Three Little Pigs will never be the same… at least not for thousands of Kentucky school children who will see the touring opera version of it next spring. The Lexington Opera Society, in conjunction with the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre, is offering the classic children's story, set to music from Mozart's most beloved operas, to Kentucky schools during Winter term 2003. Response to "The Three Little Pigs" has already been tremendous: 20 schools have already scheduled performances during January, February, or March, and several others have expressed interest in booking it.

The cast includes some familiar faces: Mark Huseth, Yuell Chandler, and Teri Thompson as the Three Little Pigs, and William Koehler as the Wolf. Huseth appeared in the title role of "Don Giovanni" in UKOT's opera for Fall 2001 and, more recently, as Harry Easter in "Street Scene", UKOT's Fall 2002 opera. Also appearing in "Street Scene" were Koehler (as Mr. Kaplan) and Chandler (as Officer Murphy). Thompson has appeared in several "Grand Night" productions, and sang the role of Cunegonde in the program of excerpts from Leonard Bernstein's opera, "Candide", performed with the Kentucky Youth Orchestra in Spring 2002.

Margo Buchanan, the Stage Director for the opera, has taught classes in theatre in Lexington and has appeared in "Grand Night". UK Music faculty member Stephen Penn provides the musical direction and accompanies the singers during the performance. The ingenious traveling set was designed by Pat Sineath, who also designed the traveling set for UKOT's "Amahl and the Night Visitors". The contact person for the Lexington Opera Society's Educational Outreach Program is Cora Hughes, a long-time member of The Lexington Singers who has recently taken on the new 'role' of Program Coordinator for UK Opera Theatre (859-257-9331; opera@uky.edu).

The educational package offered to the schools along with the performance of the opera include pre- and post-performance study guides with lesson plans offering information about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the world of opera, and the history of dance and art during Mozart's lifetime in 18th Century Austria. The package is designed to help teachers and students prepare for the state-wide KATS standardized tests on arts and humanities (music, visual arts, dance, and drama). But it's not all hard work: teachers also get games and enjoyable educational exercises to help their prepare students for the experience of this familiar story of the Three Little Pigs set to Mozart. The 45-minute opera is offered at a cost of $500 for a single performance, and schools may book two performances on the same day for $750.

Several of the schools that have expressed interest in booking performances have no funding for 'outside' programs. The LOS Education and Outreach Committee provided the initial funding for this outreach program, and is now working with local businesses, individuals and funding agencies to underwrite performances so that kids in those schools can see for themselves the wonders of opera. If you know of a school that would like more information about the program or of any individual or business that would like to sponsor a performance, contact UK Opera Theatre at 859-257-9331 or 257-6457. Sponsors will be recognized and generously thanked during the program!

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