Playground Opera

Trigger Warning: This post mentions minstrel shows and includes an image of a man in blackface.
✨Welcome back!✨
Today’s takes us to Verdi’s “Aida”, an opera that is not only loved by many, but also the subject of quite some controversy. For many years, performers used blackface to portray the Ethiopian characters in Aida, and while it was once defended as “tradition,” it has no place on today’s stage. Although it is not opera’s proudest moment in history, sometimes looking at the past honestly can alter and change the future of opera for good, so that we can be more authentic, inclusive, and respectful.

A new school year begins! 🎒✨ To all the students, teachers, educators, faculty, and staff—good luck! May your days be filled with curiosity, creativity, and maybe even a little music along the way 🎶 Here’s to a year of growth, joy, and endless possibilities!

Welcome back to Wisdom Wednesday! This week we continue with the controversial play turned opera, “Il barbiere di Siviglia” (The Barber of Seville)!

Stay tuned for our next Wisdom Wednesday, where we’ll talk about Aida, a tragic opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi!

Welcome to Wisdom Wednesdays! Operas themselves can be seen as soap operas (Le Nozze Di Figaro being a perfect example), but sometimes the drama can lie beyond the stage... for the next few weeks we will delve into the drama of some of the most popular operas and hopefully even touch on how they've changed, adapted, and worked their way into our present-day opera houses!

This week, we’re diving into the differences between adult treble voices (Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, and Contralto) and the lower voice types (Tenor, Baritone, and Bass) 🎶

Each voice type brings something unique to the music we love. Whether you sing in a choir or just love to listen, knowing the difference helps you appreciate the full spectrum of sound!
Stay tuned for more!

✨Upcoming Opera Performance(s)✨Teatro Grattacielo has an opera classic lined up for all to see! Presenting the renowned comic opera, "Le Nozze di Figaro" by Mozart. Set in the late 18th century, it tells the story of a crazy day in the lives of Figaro and Susanna as they prepare for their wedding and the comedic chaos that ensues when the Count attempts to seduce Susanna, leading Figaro, Susanna, and the Countess to teach him a lesson in fidelity. More details down below, info can also be found in Teatro Grattacielo's website!

The Downstairs Theater, La MaMa, Creative Shares 66 East 4th Street, New York, NYC
Fri, July 25 7:00PM
Sat, July 26 6:00PM
Sun, July 27 3:00PM

*We do not own the flyer, just sharing to help promote the event!

✨Upcoming Opera Performance!✨TOMORROW, Teatro Nuovo will be presenting Bellini's "La Sonnambula", which explores themes of innocence, jealousy, mistaken identity, and the blurring lines between dreams and reality, all set against a backdrop of a seemingly simple village life. If you wish to know more about the opera, there will also be a pre-opera lecture right before the performance. Details will be attached down below or found in Teatro Nuovo's website. We hope to see you there!

Wednesday, July 24, 2025
New York City Center
6:30 pm Pre-opera Lecture
7:30 pm Opera

*We do not own the flyer, just sharing to help promote the event!

✨Upcoming Opera Performance!✨ TODAY, Teatro Nuovo is putting on a production of Verdi's ""Macbeth""! The opera is based off of the play of the same name, which tells a tale of Macbeth, a Scottish general, and the destruction that comes when ambition goes unchecked by moral constraints. Not to be confused with the revised 1865 version, this wonderful cast will be performing the original 1847 version of "Macbeth"! Details will be attached down below or in Teatro Nuovo's website. We hope to see you there!

Wednesday, July 23, 2025
New York City Center
6:30 pm Pre-opera Lecture
7:30 pm Opera

*We do not own the flyer, just sharing to help promote the event!

✨Upcoming (Free!) Opera Event✨: Opera at Gotham Park: Community Yogalizing with Gina Poulou
As per the Teatro Grattacielo website, this event is “a unique practice that combines yoga with vocal techniques to reduce stress and anxiety. Led by Gina Poulou, this session helps participants discover their true voice linked to the body’s seven energy centers, the chakras. Whether you’re a performer, professional, or someone seeking personal growth, this practice offers emotional and mental development. Bring your yoga mat and join us for a session that harmonizes body and voice.”
(If you don’t have a mat, one would be provided!)

Location: Gotham Park (Rose Street, beneath the Brooklyn Bridge in Manhattan)
Date: July 12th
Time: 12pm-1pm
*We do not own the flyer, just sharing to spread the event!

Part Two is here! From groundbreaking premieres to unforgettable musicians, the history of opera keeps singing strong this month. Swipe through for even more milestones and moments that made June a steady stream of achievements! 💫🎶

School’s out! 🎉 Big cheers to all the students, teachers, and staff who made it through the year. You did it! 👏 Enjoy your summer break — see you next school year! ☀️📚
And a big thank you once again to all the schools and organizations we’ve worked with, here are some to name a few:
PS146
PS276
BGClub Indiana and Harlem
A Place Called Home
William Penn
Powell Elementary
Amistad
Amber Charter
West Harlem Corp
Infosys
Kipp

When the sun becomes a god and the city bows beneath its heat 🔥☀️
On NYC’s hottest day, Akhnaten suddenly feels less like the most relevant opera ever. Stay hydrated everyone!