New/Beginner
This page contains lessons and/or activities that are intended for those new to opera and/or opera-based learning. Please use the corresponding age-level index to determine any connected opera content for your family. New content will be added regularly, so check back and explore some of our other categories by clicking on any of the buttons below.
Early Childhood +
Learning activities are appropriate for pre-school and older. Opera content appropriate for all family members.
Elementary +
Learning activities are appropriate for early readers/writers and older. Opera content appropriate for all family members.
Middle School +
Learning activities are appropriate for students grades 6 and older. Some opera content may not be appropriate for young family members.
High School +
Learning activities are appropriate for students grades 9 and older. Opera content is intended for a mature audience.
Creative Play
Indicates a lesson or activity that encourages creativity and/or creative play.
Learning Series
Indicates a series of lessons or activities on a related subject and/or skill.
New/Beginner
Indicates a lesson or activity intended for those new to opera and/or opera-based learning.
Skill Development
Indicates a lesson or series of lessons designated to develop a specific skill or set of skills.
Recent Posts: (Most recent posts displayed. CLICK HERE to see all posts in this category.)
with Hannah Goodman
Aleatoric Music Composition
Available now as a special preview for our OBL at Home WEB family:
The education team at the Guild has been hard at work modifying our in-school programming for the current virtual landscape. This video is a short, 5-minute sample of how we will produce our education content for school partners moving forward.
Please Note: some elements are sped up in this sample video for time limits. Each individual lesson will be a full 15-minute instructional video, and custom modifications for specific student populations will be included. An accompanying worksheet (digital and .pdf) will be provided as well as a list of all National/NYS Next-Gen Standards addressed in each lesson. We are able to work with any school in all grades Pre-K - Adult. Partial subsidies to offset fees are available to schools in the New York City metropolitan area.
Things are starting to get interesting!
Papageno's Bad Day, Pt. 5
In this final part of our series, watch to find out what happens to all the characters we've encountered in parts one - four.
Who is the Queen of the Night?
Papageno's Bad Day, Pt. 2
In this second of a five-part series of video shorts, we meet some new characters - including the mysterious Queen of the Night - who tells us of an evil King and a cruel plot... Test your memory from last week and find out what happens this week!
HARP
Let's Learn the Instruments of the Orchestra
Our friends from the Cleveland Orchestra help us learn about individual instruments found within the orchestra.
FRENCH HORN
Let's Learn the Instruments of the Orchestra
Our friends from the Cleveland Orchestra help us learn about individual instruments found within the orchestra.
CLARINET
Let's Learn the Instruments of the Orchestra
Our friends from the Cleveland Orchestra help us learn about individual instruments found within the orchestra.
BASS
Let's Learn the Instruments of the Orchestra
Our friends from the Cleveland Orchestra help us learn about individual instruments found within the orchestra.
VIOLIN
Let's Learn the Instruments of the Orchestra
Our friends from the Cleveland Orchestra help us learn about individual instruments found within the orchestra.
A Home OPERA Workout
Move with Me!
Met Guild Teaching Artist Elizabeth van Os and her partner Miss Sara lead us through an at-home opera workout! Find a space for your and other members of your household to participate as you're able, and "sweat to the REALLY oldies!" Click through to the video player for the full playlist.
Will Tamino find Princess Pamina?
Papageno's Bad Day, Pt. 4
In this fourth of a five-part series of video shorts, we continue learning about Tamino and Papageno - who are both on separate quests to save Princess Pamina. In this video Tamino and Papageno learn some VERY important new information about Sarastro and the Queen of the Night!
Why is Papageno having a bad day?
Papageno's Bad Day, Pt. 1
Join us in the first of a 5-part series of video "shorts" that tells the story of 'The Magic Flute,' but from the perspective of Papageno - who is having a VERY bad day! In this video we meet some of the main characters and learn a little bit about what went wrong for Papageno.
TUBA
Let's Learn the Instruments of the Orchestra
Our friends from the Cleveland Orchestra help us learn about individual instruments found within the orchestra.
TRUMPET
Let's Learn the Instruments of the Orchestra
Our friends from the Cleveland Orchestra help us learn about individual instruments found within the orchestra.
OBOE
Let's Learn the Instruments of the Orchestra
Our friends from the Cleveland Orchestra help us learn about individual instruments found within the orchestra.
CELLO
Let's Learn the Instruments of the Orchestra
Our friends from the Cleveland Orchestra help us learn about individual instruments found within the orchestra.
Let's Get Ready to SING!
Vocal Warm Up
In this video, Met Opera Guild Teaching Artist Gina Hanzlik helps us all prepare to sing by warming up the body, breath, and voice. Join our friends at P.S. 112Q in Long Island City as we share part of their weekly remote learning lesson.
How can we use our faces to express emotions?
Emotions with Emoji's
This short, fun lesson is designed for early childhood students to help them discover how we can use our faces to express different emotions. Met Guild Teaching Artist Shawn Farrar takes us on a fun (and SILENT!) activity. Grab a hand mirror or find yourself a spot in front of any mirror in your house so you can check to see if your facial expressions change with Miss Shawn's flashcards.
What's a Monostatos?
Papageno's Bad Day, Pt. 3
In this third of a five-part series of video shorts, we meet some new characters - including the beautiful Princess Pamina and the evil Monostatos who is holding her prinsoner! Prince Tamino and the Three Boys also continue their journey to try to locate the Princess. Test your memory from last week and find out what happens this week!
PERCUSSION
Let's Learn the Instruments of the Orchestra
Our friends from the Cleveland Orchestra help us learn about individual instruments found within the orchestra.
TROMBONE
Let's Learn the Instruments of the Orchestra
Our friends from the Cleveland Orchestra help us learn about individual instruments found within the orchestra.
BASSOON
Let's Learn the Instruments of the Orchestra
Our friends from the Cleveland Orchestra help us learn about individual instruments found within the orchestra.
FLUTE
Let's Learn the Instruments of the Orchestra
Our friends from the Cleveland Orchestra help us learn about individual instruments found within the orchestra.
VIOLA
Let's Learn the Instruments of the Orchestra
Our friends from the Cleveland Orchestra help us learn about individual instruments found within the orchestra.
14 Operas to Choose From
Metropolitan Opera Illustrated Synopses
Explore full synopses of 14 different operas, told in the style of a graphic novel.