An Investigation into Children's Opera: A Historical Survey, Its Nature and Condition in Canada Today

Abstract

Opera is a unique collaboration of music, dance, literature, theatre, and visual arts which some observers believe is the greatest of all art forms. From its origins in Florence, opera has existed as a significant source of cultural and national identity through sharing stories from different nations, addressing social and political issues, and creating new meanings and trends through the combination of old and new. In parallel with contemporary globalization developments, opera continually attempts to reinvent itself by becoming ever more communal, more accessible, and cross-culturally adaptable. This dissertation considers the involvement of children in the merging of music and drama as part of the unbroken tradition dating back to ancient Greece. Opera is capable of entertaining and educating younger generations either as active participants or audience members. It offers the potential to reveal new ideas, illustrate aspects of diverse cultures, support intellectual progress, and facilitate educational and artistic creativity. As a composer and a teaching artist with many years of experience working with children and youth, my teaching philosophy encompasses informing the younger generation about their own cultural values in addition to those of others. This approach supports educational development and encourages the development of strong creative voices in a more diverse society of the future. Through its history, opera has served as a kinaesthetic pedagogical tool for children to assist them in locating their own unique creative selves and artistic personalities. Unfortunately, there are limited resources and references available to facilitate opera production aimed at children. This dissertation seeks to partially remedy this situation by providing a historical overview and analytical and pedagogical resources for individuals (educators, composers, ensemble directors, producers, etc.) who are interested in creating childrens opera or employing opera as a pedagogical approach for children.