Fun with opera?

How is that possible?

Let me guess. You don’t like classical music, and you definitely don’t like opera.

I get it.

Many people think of opera as an odd form of singing in a musical genre reserved for the staid and stuffy. That doesn’t mean you can’t learn just a little bit about it, while having a good chuckle or two.

Making Opera Fun

Jeff Spurgeon of WQXR has put together quick synopses of several well-known and regularly performed operas.

Mr. Spurgeon uses pop culture references and historical humor to give the listener a condensed version of each opera.

Expanding one’s horizons doesn’t mean embracing what you see or hear; it just gives you a broader perspective. It doesn’t hurt to know a little bit about a lot of things. It offers the opportunity to engage in conversations that you would otherwise feel excluded from.

I enjoy a good deal of classical music, but I’m not an opera buff. It is my least favorite segment of the genre.

You don’t have to sit through a three-hour performance to gain insights into the story or have fun with opera. With Mr. Spurgeon’s opera in 3-minutes, you get the gist.

Enhancing Education

Music programs have been cut from many schools, so today’s students aren’t exposed to a wide range of musical genres.

The 3-minute operas are a way for young (or not so young) people to sample and learn without being bored. It’s not about embracing – it’s about exposing.

Some parents may deem some of the subject matter unsuitable for young people, so I suggest you listen alone and make your determination.

I have two suggestions for you to sample.

The first is Puccini’s La Bohème. Not only should it give you a few good chuckles, but you might recognize the storyline that served as the basis for a popular Broadway musical and 2005 Hollywood film.

They even kept a main character’s name.

Drop a comment if you make the connection.

The second is Wagner’s Lohengrin.

You should recognize at least one snippet of music, which should cause you to wonder how and why it was ever used for weddings.

I am no opera buff, but I do enjoy Mr. Spurgeon’s skillfully crafted, easily digestible, and fresh take on the often centuries-old storylines – they’re almost irreverent in the most delightful way.

The complete set of 3-Minute Operas | WQXR | New York’s Classical Music Radio Station

Looking for other education supplemental material? Try our K-12 Learning Resources page that’s filled with subject help and multiple museums and points-of-interest tours.