Comments on: sortilege http://parterre.com/2008/08/24/childs-play/ where opera is king and you, the readers, are queens Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:44:07 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 Thom commented http://parterre.com/2008/08/24/childs-play/comment-page-1/#comment-26145 Thom Sun, 31 Aug 2008 10:52:54 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1287#comment-26145 …gives up and quietly slinks away to blogs that don't keep changing the attributions on the comments. ;-) …gives up and quietly slinks away to blogs that don’t keep changing the attributions on the comments.
;-)

]]> Thom commented http://parterre.com/2008/08/24/childs-play/comment-page-1/#comment-26144 Thom Sun, 31 Aug 2008 10:51:33 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1287#comment-26144 Oh no, I'm not "complaining" – please don't say that of me. It was fantastic not having a television! I got to see so many plays and hear so much music! Oh no, I’m not “complaining” – please don’t say that of me. It was fantastic not having a television! I got to see so many plays and hear so much music!

]]> Thom commented http://parterre.com/2008/08/24/childs-play/comment-page-1/#comment-26143 Thom Sun, 31 Aug 2008 10:50:40 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1287#comment-26143 I didn't have a television, but Rigoletto was my first opera (aged about 9 or 10). I was definitely won! I didn’t have a television, but Rigoletto was my first opera (aged about 9 or 10). I was definitely won!

]]> Susan commented http://parterre.com/2008/08/24/childs-play/comment-page-1/#comment-25702 Susan Wed, 27 Aug 2008 03:07:13 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1287#comment-25702 I think any opera that featured farts and burps would be a big draw in the 2-6 year old set. Well for boys I imagine there is no age limit, but girls shy away from fart jokes for a few years before secretly coming around to realize how funny they really are. Go ahead, take a look at these: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQRLMA1r3Mc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAkfJTgwr50 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFRiu6S77z8&feature=related Yep. From opera to farts. Or as Ofelps said, "Who cut the cheese." Now you know what life with a "sweet boy" is really like. I think any opera that featured farts and burps would be a big draw in the 2-6 year old set. Well for boys I imagine there is no age limit, but girls shy away from fart jokes for a few years before secretly coming around to realize how funny they really are. Go ahead, take a look at these:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQRLMA1r3Mc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAkfJTgwr50
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFRiu6S77z8&feature=related

Yep. From opera to farts. Or as Ofelps said, “Who cut the cheese.”

Now you know what life with a “sweet boy” is really like.

]]> Ofelps commented http://parterre.com/2008/08/24/childs-play/comment-page-1/#comment-25692 Ofelps Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:20:00 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1287#comment-25692 I want to see an opera which has Froggie on top of his clock singing while he tortures Hans Conried or Billy Gilbert, while Midnight and Squeeky saw away as the orchestra, and Andy or Smilin' Ed stand around laughing(while singing.) Of course there would have to musical commercials for sugar pops and tootsie rolls and Buster Brown shoes. I suppose Charlie Sheen could write some gross out songs for the moppets, like "Who barfed in the fish bowl," or "Who cut the cheese." I want to see an opera which has Froggie on top of his clock singing while he tortures Hans Conried or Billy Gilbert, while Midnight and Squeeky saw away as the orchestra, and Andy or Smilin’ Ed stand around laughing(while singing.) Of course there would have to musical commercials for sugar pops and tootsie rolls and Buster Brown shoes. I suppose Charlie Sheen could write some gross out songs for the moppets, like “Who barfed in the fish bowl,” or “Who cut the cheese.”

]]> Susan commented http://parterre.com/2008/08/24/childs-play/comment-page-1/#comment-25576 Susan Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:12:54 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1287#comment-25576 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. 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.

]]> Tenorguy commented http://parterre.com/2008/08/24/childs-play/comment-page-1/#comment-25477 Tenorguy Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:22:41 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1287#comment-25477 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. 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.

]]> Susan commented http://parterre.com/2008/08/24/childs-play/comment-page-1/#comment-25422 Susan Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:15:35 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1287#comment-25422 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. :) 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. :)

]]> Buster commented http://parterre.com/2008/08/24/childs-play/comment-page-1/#comment-25415 Buster Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:09:54 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1287#comment-25415 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" 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”

]]> Tenorguy commented http://parterre.com/2008/08/24/childs-play/comment-page-1/#comment-25411 Tenorguy Mon, 25 Aug 2008 07:27:06 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1287#comment-25411 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. 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.

]]> Susan commented http://parterre.com/2008/08/24/childs-play/comment-page-1/#comment-25382 Susan Mon, 25 Aug 2008 02:55:41 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1287#comment-25382 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!! 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!!

]]> La Cieca commented http://parterre.com/2008/08/24/childs-play/comment-page-1/#comment-25374 La Cieca Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:55:05 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1287#comment-25374 Susan: <I>He’s 4 - he doesn’t quite read yet.</i> Not even surtitles? Susan: He’s 4 – he doesn’t quite read yet.

Not even surtitles?

]]> Alice Roberts commented http://parterre.com/2008/08/24/childs-play/comment-page-1/#comment-25373 Alice Roberts Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:45:19 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1287#comment-25373 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. 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.

]]> il lacerato spirito commented http://parterre.com/2008/08/24/childs-play/comment-page-1/#comment-25370 il lacerato spirito Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:21:28 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1287#comment-25370 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....... 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…….

]]> Susan commented http://parterre.com/2008/08/24/childs-play/comment-page-1/#comment-25368 Susan Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:46:52 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1287#comment-25368 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! ;) 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! ;)

]]> High C's @ 4:20 commented http://parterre.com/2008/08/24/childs-play/comment-page-1/#comment-25358 High C's @ 4:20 Sun, 24 Aug 2008 23:36:40 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1287#comment-25358 Susan... keep your sweet boy away from this site tho... i am a bit red in the face for a couple colorful remarks i made yesterday... i just dont think of mothers with sons logging on here all that much...(NG ;) ) Susan… keep your sweet boy away from this site tho… i am a bit red in the face for a couple colorful remarks i made yesterday… i just dont think of mothers with sons logging on here all that much…(NG ;) )

]]> Regina delle fate commented http://parterre.com/2008/08/24/childs-play/comment-page-1/#comment-25355 Regina delle fate Sun, 24 Aug 2008 23:18:11 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1287#comment-25355 He's a better Papageno than Izzy! He’s a better Papageno than Izzy!

]]> Susan commented http://parterre.com/2008/08/24/childs-play/comment-page-1/#comment-25353 Susan Sun, 24 Aug 2008 23:00:10 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1287#comment-25353 *blush* Thanks everyone. Alice - Don't despair. We are on a mission of converting all his little friends (and sometimes their parents) into opera lovers. :) *blush* Thanks everyone.

Alice – Don’t despair. We are on a mission of converting all his little friends (and sometimes their parents) into opera lovers. :)

]]> Willym commented http://parterre.com/2008/08/24/childs-play/comment-page-1/#comment-25350 Willym Sun, 24 Aug 2008 22:50:14 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1287#comment-25350 There is hope - thank you La Cieca and Susan you should be proud. And he's a darn good Papagano. There is hope – thank you La Cieca and Susan you should be proud. And he’s a darn good Papagano.

]]> Baritenor commented http://parterre.com/2008/08/24/childs-play/comment-page-1/#comment-25341 Baritenor Sun, 24 Aug 2008 20:38:07 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1287#comment-25341 My first opera...Fantastic Mr. Fox by Picker. No wonder it didn't catch with me until about five years later. My first opera…Fantastic Mr. Fox by Picker. No wonder it didn’t catch with me until about five years later.

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