parterre box

25 comments

• Susan says:

  LOL, He’s 4 – he doesn’t quite read yet. His online visits are primarily to the Thomas the Tank Engine site and supervised YouTube sessions. That probably won’t change after he learns to read over the next few months.

  And Hey! Mothers with sons do LOTS of things. I know it’s shocking but… we actually have our own lives!

  on August 24, 2008 at 8:46 PM
• il lacerato spirito says:

  to all of you. I have a friend who teaches kindergarten in NJ….she has taught the kids about Ancient egypt, Rome and China….I especially love the one on Egypt because she had them mummify their beanie babies.

  there is a little eurasian girl age 5 or so in her class who is enchanted with the Ring Cycle. She has it on DVD and had watched the whole thing 3X////I must say she is a better man than I am…….

  on August 24, 2008 at 9:21 PM
• Alice Roberts says:

  I remember reading some years ago of a litle girl in Japan who was enthralled by Parsifal but when taken to Madama Butterfly did not care for it. Thanks Susan, keep up the good work.

  on August 24, 2008 at 9:45 PM
• La Cieca says:

  Susan: He’s 4 – he doesn’t quite read yet.

  Not even surtitles?

  on August 24, 2008 at 9:55 PM
• Susan says:

  Ha! I wish he did, then he could read them to me. I get tired of squinting at them and just give up after 10 minutes.

  There must be more kids out there who love opera. Parents choose what music to play for out children. Why would I choose something that I don’t like? The girl who watched the Ring Cycle 3 times– that’s totally normal. Kids want to hear the same thing over and over. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched the various Papageno scenes from many different Magic Flute videos. He usually wanted the English one with Nathan Gunn so I just suffered through it, heh heh. If I had to listen to Barney or The Wiggles that many times in a row I think I’d have found a way to gnaw my ears off.

  We have this great CD called, “The World’s Very Best Opera For Kids – In English.” http://www.amazon.com/Worlds-Very-Opera-Kids-English/dp/B0000C5ROP
  It has a synopsis of the operas and explains where the piece fits in. It has the lyrics in English, and my favorite part is, there are 3 or 4 instrumental versions so you can Karaoke it yourself. Another fun one we have is called Beethoven’s Wig. This very clever guy took different classical works and set silly yet relevant words to them, so you learn a little bit about the piece and/or the composer. http://www.beethovenswig.com/

  And now I know what we’re doing tomorrow – mummifying the Thomas trains!!

  on August 24, 2008 at 10:55 PM
• Tenorguy says:

  Susan – how wonderful to see your boy enjoying the gift of music; I’m afraid he’s been bit with the opera bug. Its great that you are encouraging him with items like Beethoven’s Wig. A good friend of mine is the soprano on all the Beethoven’s Wig recording and if you don’t mind I will share your story and video with her – she will be so happy to know the impact the B’Wig project is having.

  Please post more of Alex’s continued development – he will find many supportive adoptive Aunties and Uncles on this site to wish him well on his musical journey.

  on August 25, 2008 at 3:27 AM
• Buster says:

  Dutch Sesame Street actor Frank Groothof has been making succesful adaptations of opera’s for children, including “difficult” ones like Idomeneo, Fidelio and Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria. They were all big hits in the theatre and on CD. Although they are in Dutch you might want to check out his work for tips.

  [http://www.frankgroothof.nl/opera_lijst.html]

  The strangest opera preference I ever heard by a kid was Elektra “as if a door opens and a lot of music tumbles out”

  on August 25, 2008 at 5:09 AM
• Susan says:

  First off – I’m not the type to go on and on about my kid so this is all a bit strange for me… that said… here I go!

  Tenorguy – Of course tell her! We love love love Beethoven’s Wig. We have the first 3 and are waiting for #4 to be released. I’m a little star-struck which is so silly considering I’m a super and meet opera singers all the time, lol. But I’ve sung along with your friend countless times.

  You can read what Alex is up to musically and cognitively in my blogs.
  For language development (meaning, the silly stuff kids say)
  http://whatalexsaid.blogspot.com/

  And musical development is mixed in my other blog. You’d have to page through it to find them, but for example, here’s one from March:
  http://luindriel.blogspot.com/2008/03/future-coloratura-er-oh-and-i-am-going.html

  He has said some interesting things about music. He calls coloratura “jumpy.” Old notes are low and young notes are high. He’s also said some interesting things about hearing the music in his head – I’ll post back if I remember what it was.

  Buster – Thanks for the link and info. I’ll check it out.

  Thanks again, everyone, for all your nice comments.

  on August 25, 2008 at 9:15 AM
• Tenorguy says:

  Susan –

  I emailed the Beethoven’s Wig soprano (Elin) and she responded,
  “how totally sweet! Tell her I’m so glad she loves the Wig! #4 is out now, I think.!”

  You and Alex made her day…. By the way, Elin is the same soprano who re-recorded the newest version of the classic Star Trek obbligato. Here is the link to see her and listen to her singing the theme – http://www.elincarlson.com/startrek.html

  I’m totally enjoying reading the blogs on Alex’s development. He really has got some great observations.

  on August 25, 2008 at 2:22 PM
• Susan says:

  Thank you Tenorguy! I love that she’s a professional opera singer who gets paid to sing goofy stuff. That would be my dream job. I’ll definitely check out her website. Meanwhile, I’ve updated my blog with Alex’s latest musical observations, this time about the bass voice.

  on August 25, 2008 at 9:12 PM