From Bugs Bunny to take-out pizza commercials, popular films to sports car ads, the world is filled with the sound of opera. Almost everyone can recognize these timeless opera melodies, but for most people, the word ‘opera’ conjures up great fears, intimidating images and stereotypes. In an attempt to demystify opera for audiences of all ages, we present:

Opera Myth #1 – I don’t know anything about it. I don’t understand what they’re singing about.
You don’t have to know anything about opera. This popular misconception stems from the fact that most opera is sung in a foreign language. The World’s Very Best Opera for Kids CD strips away the intimidation and presents these best-loved melodies in English so that everyone can understand. Listen, sing along and enjoy – allow yourself to have an emotional response to the music.

Opera Myth #2 – Opera is outrageously expensive.
A survey of classical music radio stations conducted in June 2003 revealed that more than 360 hours of opera programming is available absolutely FREE each week in the United States and Canada, not to mention countless on-line classical music stations. Opera tickets are comparable to the prices of other live entertainment, and in some cases cost less than a major league sporting event.

For less than $20 your family can enjoy The World’s Very Best Opera for Kids CD for years to come.

Opera Myth #3 – Opera is for blue hairs only.
A landmark study published in March 2003 by the Performing Arts Research Coalition (www.operaamerica.org/parc) found no strong relationship between age and levels of attendance at performing arts events like opera, ballet and the symphony. In most communities, the study saw only a small percentage difference between opera-goers aged 25 to 54.

A 1997 National Endowment for the Arts survey found the median age of the opera audience dropped to 44 (hardly the old, white/blue/grey-haired crowd). Opera goers are the only arts audience in which the median age decreased.

One way to ensure that opera is enjoyed by all age groups for many years to come is to make opera a part of everyday life starting in childhood.

In 2000-2001, North America’s professional opera companies gave 2,238 performances of 435 fully-staged main season and festival productions. (Source: Opera America)

Opera is one of the fastest growing of the performing arts with more than 20 million people attending annually. Not only are audiences growing, but they’re growing younger too! In fact, one of the fastest growing audiences at the opera is Generation X, whose attendance at opera grew by more than 18% in recent years. (Source: Atlanta Opera)

Of the twelve world-class performers featured on The World’s Very Best Opera for Kids CD, most are between the ages of 35 and 45. All these performers cited their exposure to opera as a child as a primary influence in pursuing an opera career.

The World’s Very Best Opera for Kids CD features a stellar cast of world-class opera stars – and some up-and-coming stars, too – proving that opera can be a rich and rewarding career opportunity and experience for young people.

Opera Myth #5 – Opera is boring
Opera is actually a great party – a visual, aural, emotional spectacle that electrifies all the senses. In many ways, it is the ultimate multi-media art form. In our society today, we look for and even expect entertainment that dazzles us from all around. Opera, with its spectacular sets and costumes, glorious voices, and stories that tear at our heartstrings, does exactly that. There is something in it for everyone.

Opera Myth #6 – It ain’t over ‘til the fat lady sings.
There were no fat ladies involved in the production of The World’s Very Best Opera for Kids CD. In fact, it ain’t over at all. The World’s Very Best Opera for Kids CD is a new beginning for a new generation of opera-lovers.

The World’s Very Best Opera for Kids CD makes opera understandable, fun and singable for children ages 4 and up. Just as The Children’s Group has changed a generation’s perception of classical music with our award-winning and best-selling Classical Kids series, we can change the public’s perception of opera for a lifetime, too…because everyone can love opera!

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For more information about The World’s Very Best Opera for Kids CD and Teacher’s Guide with CD, please contact:

Publicity & Promotion
905/831.1995 ext:27