TWO-MINUTE OPERA
WEBQUEST AND CONTEST
An opportunity for students to learn about opera and create their own
Created by Lauren Hime, inspired by a classroom activity from music
teacher Chris Bultman
INTRODUCTION
 Teams comprised of four students will create and perform an
original composition utilizing elements of the opera genre
 Selected compositions will be chosen from each school to be
displayed on the Roundabout Opera for Kids Website
 Out of this select group of compositions, one team will be chosen
to receive a prize.
TASK
 Each member of the team will team will assume a specific role and will
conduct research on the internet to learn about different aspects of opera
 Team members will then share their information with the group so that
each member has an understanding and appreciation for opera
 Each member will then create an individual and unique component of
the opera
 The team will collaborate by bringing their components together to
create a two-minute opera for the ROK contest
Task
Process
Roles
Learning Advice
Conclusion
Rubric
PROCESS
 Following the steps below will give your team all of the information necessary to create an
original two minute opera for the ROK contest.
Step 1: Please refer to the evaluation rubric to ensure that you and the members of your team
complete all of the necessary components of this quest.
Step 2: Each team member must assume a role from the “Roles” page, and complete the
research that accompanies that role.
Step 3: After completing your research, each team member will share their information with
the group.
Step 4: The team will decide on an idea or plot outline for the composite opera.
Step 5: Each team member will contribute ideas relating to their role, and the group will create
their two-minute opera!
Task
Process
Roles
Learning Advice
Conclusion
Rubric
ROLES
 Click on the icon beside your role to begin your research. An
organizer has been provided for each team member. After you have
completed your research you will work collaboratively to help define
and shape your group’s opera.
Task
Historian
Set and Costume Designer
Director
Opera Singer
Process
Roles
Learning Advice
Conclusion
Rubric
DIRECTOR
 Before you begin your quest click here and select “What is Opera”
for an overview of opera.
Your job is to discover what kinds of musical and plot elements are
found in operas, and how they are put together. Click here to learn
more.
Task
Process
Roles
Learning Advice
Conclusion
Rubric
DIRECTOR
 Click here to watch an opera video, think about these questions
while you watch.
• What kind of group is playing with the singers?
• Who keeps the singers and the music together?
• Who tells the singers how to act as they sing?
• What are opera rehearsals like?
 2. Examine these elements and use a graphic organizer
(choose one here) to document your findings.
Task
Process
Roles
Learning Advice
Conclusion
Rubric
HISTORIAN
 Before you begin your quest click here and select “What is Opera”
for an overview of opera.
Your job is to discover the history of opera. Click here to learn more.
Task
Process
Roles
Learning Advice
Conclusion
Rubric
HISTORIAN
 Click here to watch a video about the history of opera, think about the
following questions as you go. Click here to read a short article that will
help you answer your questions.
•
•
•
•
When did opera begin?
Who were the composers of the first operas?
What was early opera like? What made it unique?
How were they created?
 Examine your research on the beginnings of opera and use a graphic
organizer (choose one here) to document your findings.
Task
Process
Roles
Learning Advice
Conclusion
Rubric
SET AND COSTUME DESIGNER
 Before you begin your quest click here and select “What is
Opera” for an overview of opera.
Your job is to discover what kinds of costumes and sets are used in
opera, and how they are chosen and made. Click here to learn more.
Task
Process
Roles
Learning Advice
Conclusion
Rubric
SET AND COSTUME DESIGNER
 Click here to watch a video about set and costume design in opera,
think about the following questions as you go.
• How are sets and costumes designed and produced?
• What kinds of things do set and costume designers think about while
they are designing and creating?
• Who makes sure that the sets are in the right place and the costumes
fit correctly?
 Examine your research on set and costume design and use a
graphic organizer (choose one here) to document your findings.
Task
Process
Roles
Learning Advice
Conclusion
Rubric
OPERA SINGER
 Before you begin your quest click here and select “What is Opera”
for an overview of opera.
Your job is to discover what it is like to be an opera singer. Click here
to learn more.
Task
Process
Roles
Learning Advice
Conclusion
Rubric
OPERA SINGER
 Click here to watch a video about what it is like to be an opera singer,
think about the following questions as you watch.
• How long do opera singers train before they become professionals?
• How do opera singers use their voices to fill auditoriums without
microphones?
• How do opera singers take care of their voices?
• What kinds of things do opera singers do to get ready for a performance?
 Examine your research on the life of an opera singer and use a graphic
organizer (choose one here) to document your findings.
Task
Process
Roles
Learning Advice
Conclusion
Rubric
LEARNING ADVICE
As a group…
• Meet to share your findings
• Decide on the following elements of your opera
• Plot
• Characters
• Setting
• Sets and Costume ideas
• Based on what you have learned from each other, write down your
ideas for your opera.
• Work together to create a two minute opera that features at least
two short songs. You may choose to have instrumental
accompaniment or sing a capella. Creativity is key!
• Perform or record your final project. Submit your recordings to
rok@kimcarballo.com
Task
Process
Roles
Learning Advice
Conclusion
Rubric
CONCLUSION
 At the end of this project you will have knowledge about…
•
•
•
•
•
Task
The history of opera
How operas are created, rehearsed, and directed
The sets and costumes used in operas
What it is like to be an opera singer
The challenges involved in creating a short opera with input from all
four team members!
Process
Roles
Learning Advice
Conclusion
Rubric
RUBRIC
Criteria
Outstanding
(5)
(4)
Average
(3)
(2)
Poor
(1)
Score
Participatio
n
All team
members
complete G.O.
and contribute
to group opera
Three members
complete G.O.
and contribute
to group opera
Less than three
members
complete G.O.
and contribute
to group opera
x5
Cooperation
All team
members
cooperate
within the
group all of the
time
Team members
cooperate
within the
group some of
the time
Team members
do not
cooperate with
each other
often
x5
Creative
thinking in
group opera
Creative effort
is obvious
Creative effort
is somewhat
present
Creative effort
is lacking
x5
Completion
of project
Group opera is
complete and
shows
originality
Group opera is
75% complete
Group opera is
less than 75%
complete
x5
Total _/100