Customer Reviews

Sing Me a Story: The Metropolitan Opera's Book of Opera Stories for Children

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The orchestra tunes, the audience is seated, a hush falls over the house as the the conductor raises his baton, the curtain opens, and the performance begins in all its splendor. The opera, a magnificent feast for the eyes and ears. Jane Rosenberg brings her writing and illustrating talents, her passion and love of opera to this marvelous collection. Hear the intriguing stories of Aida, La Boheme, Die Fledermaus, The Magic Flute, Pagliacci, The Tales of Hoffman, Amahl and the Night Visitors, Carmen, The Barber of Seville, The Daughter of the Regiment, L'Enfant et les Sortileges, Hansel and Gretel, Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg, The Love for Three Oranges, and Porgy and Bess. Each narrative is written in an easy to read and engaging style, and is full of history, mystery, drama, humor, and adventure. The scenes are painstakingly set, the action thrilling and well described, and the dialogue eloquent and easily understood. Ms Rosenberg's elegant and exquisite illustrations are rich in detail, capture the imagination, and send it soaring, and youngsters will visualize and appreciate the grandeur of the sets, scenery, and costumes. Together word and art bring each story to life in an original and fascinating way. Perfect for youngsters 10 and older, or as a read aloud for younger children, Sing Me A Story is a superb introduction to the magical world of opera that is sure to whet the appetite, and peak the interest of young and old alike.

This charming book tells the stories behind 15 operas. Classic and modern, familiar and lesser known. It covers all the bases, as does the Metropolitan Opera in NY with their seasons, which can include everything from Porgy and Bess to Turnadot. The book gives the stories behind Aida, Amahl and the Night Visitors, The Barber of Seville, La Boheme, Carmen, The Daughter of the Regiment, L'Enfant et les Sortileges, Die Fledermaus, Hansel and Gretel, The Love For Three Oranges, The Magic Flute, Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg, Pagliacci, Porgy and Bess, and The Tales of Hoffman. The synopses break the stories down, act by act, taking quotes-translated in English-from the songs to illustrate the stories more vividly. The illustrations also provide an incredible visual for the reader. I had these read to me, and when I was able to read when I was around two, read them myself, and got such a better understanding of operas. It was much more easier to follow the plots, and also makes for quite enjoyable leisure reading. I still read the book to this day, it's not dumbed down, it withstands the test of time in my library.

As someone who teaches and coaches emotional intelligence, I'm always saddened to find people whose emotional lives are stunted for lack of introduction to the arts. I include the arts, and opera, in my EQ Foundation Course for adults, and in my coach certification training program. Why? Because we know we need it! Opera is an acquired taste, because in the US we don't grow up with it. I bought this book hoping to include it with my EQ products, and to offer it as a selection for my Club Vivo Per Lei/I Live for Music, and I love it. Great stories, and elegant illustrations. Buy the book for your little one and then go with them to Barber of Seville; it's humor appeals to all ages, over time. (Spend the money to sit right up front; the immediacy is important!) And put the arts in your budget right after food, clothing and shelter. The arts develops the emotional life in an intelligent way. It can't over-ride IQ, but without it, IQ is rendered ineffective. Ask Turandot, wink wink. He had to teach her that his name was love, and he didn't do it with his intellect, he did it with a kiss.

I bought this for a child's birthday gift. I would have bought 2 more for my own grandsons. It is beautifully illustrated. As a mother and grandmother, I believe it is very important to introduce children to classical music.