Opera - 101



New/Beginner



Elementary +



Learning Series
Brand new to opera? Explore this three-part video series to learn the "Who's Who" of opera and specifics on voice types and what it takes to be an opera singer. Finally, end with a special backstage look at all the people you won't seen on the opera stage but who are a part of the Metropolitan Opera Magic!
Each video comes with a companion worksheet/guided listening activity and a followup video quiz to test your new knowledge.
Click Each Image to view a video. You will be taken to the Met Opera Educational Videos page, where you will need to scroll and select the image that matches the thumbnails below.
PART ONE
What is Opera?
Legendary soprano Deborah Voigt introduces us to the special world of opera.
In this video we learn:
What is opera?
and we also learn these vocabulary words:
libretto, aria, duet, ensemble, orchestra, chorus, sets, costumes, wigs, make up, actor, dancer, puppets
Opera Match & Memory Game
Click to open and print the .pdf to make your game.
Print page 1 and use as a simple match game or
Print pages 1 and 2 double sided and play facedown for a memory match game
Vocabulary and Definitions Sheet
Use this .pdf as a listening/viewing guide
PART TWO
Singing Opera
Ms. Voigt continues our learning by introducing us to some of the people you might meet in an opera house.
In this video we learn:
Who's Who in the opera house?
and we also learn these vocabulary words:
soloist, soprano, mezzo soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, coloratura, conductor, chorus master, articulation/diction,
(Picture/Definition Match Game Answers)

PART THREE
Behind the Scenes
at the
Metropolitan Opera
Martha Stewart takes us behind the scenes of the largest performing arts organization in North America with Met Opera General Manager Peter Gelb.
In this video we learn:
LOTS or Facts and Information about The Metropolitan Opera!
and we also learn these vocabulary words:
general manager, technical director, wigmaker, costume designer, archives
Click "Present" in the top right corner to start the quiz.
Match the number to the correct sentence.
Met Opera
House Statistics
The Metropolitan Opera Guild, Inc.
70 Lincoln Center Plaza, 6th Floor
New York, NY. 10023