STUDENT DRESS REHEARSALS

Student Dress Rehearsals are an immersive way for students to go beyond an ordinary field trip to get an intimate experience with the Opera. This FREE program offers a rare opportunity for students to see the show before the public and without a large crowd for a more personal and meaningful experience.
Opera Omaha offers FREE tickets to students and chaperones our upcoming productions. Study guides and other resources are made available to help prepare students for their visit, and Opera Omaha provides Prelude Talk Speakers well versed in the themes and history of the opera to speak with students in advance of the rehearsal, so they have a richer understanding of the production and performance experience. Students get to see the elements of opera come together from the Director, Conductor, Singers, Symphony, Costume Designers, Stage Managers and all other technicians that make show go-on.
These experiences serve as an on-ramp for new opera fans being welcomed into the art form by caring professionals looking to be as inviting as possible to help dissolve the barriers that many perceive when thinking about these performances.

Don Pasquale

Student Dress Rehearsal Wednesday, October 25
An ideal intro to opera, this fast paced, witty, and frolicking opera is a delight for all audiences.
Don Pasquale is an Italian comic opera by Gaetano Donizetti. The story revolves around the elderly bachelor Don Pasquale, who decides to marry in order to disinherit his nephew, Ernesto, and punish him for refusing a marriage arranged by his uncle. With the help of the crafty Dr. Malatesta, Ernesto’s love, Norina, disguises herself as a shy and innocent woman, and “marries” Pasquale. However, once the fake papers are signed, Norina changes her persona into a controlling shrew causing chaos in his life. Eventually, Pasquale realizes his folly and the opera concludes with forgiveness and a happy ending for all involved.

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Sung in Italian with English supertitles
Recommended for students in middle school and older

Registration for Don Pasquale Open Now

La Traviata

Student Dress Rehearsal Wednesday, February 14
One of the most iconic operas of all time, this sumptuous piece displays the super-human strength of the human voice, and the human heart.
La Traviata is an Italian opera by Giuseppe Verdi. The opera follows the tragic life of Violetta, a beautiful and popular courtesan in Paris. Violetta meets and falls in love with Alfredo Germont, but their happiness is short-lived due to societal and familial pressures. Alfredo's father, Germont, convinces Violetta to sacrifice her love for the sake of his family's reputation. Heartbroken, Violetta denies Alfredo, causing him to seek revenge by publicly humiliating her. Violetta, on her deathbed, reconciles with Alfredo before succumbing to her illness.

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Sung in Italian with English supertitles
Recommended for students in high school and older

El último sueño de Frida y Diego

Student Dress Rehearsal Wednesday, May 1
This contemporary opera is visually exquisite as it explores the surreal worlds of life, death, and art.
El último sueño de Frida y Diego is a Spanish opera by Gabriela Lena Frank and Nilo Cruz. This new opera, which premiered in 2022, imagines the reconciliation of famous Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and muralist, Diego Rivera. On Día de los Muertos, Diego calls to his deceased wife in the underworld. Frida hesitates, recalling her life of physical and emotional pain, but decides to go back to earth for 24 hours, to return to her art. Together, Frida and Diego journey through their world of art, pain, and passion. As Diego dies, Frida assists him into the world of the dead.

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Sung in Spanish with English supertitles
Recommended for students in middle school and older

All Dress Rehearsals are held in the evening at the Orpheum Theater.

You must register for each opera separately. (New this season)

Registrations for each opera will open no less than two months in advance.
Reservations must be made by teachers or program staff who will be accompanying students. Prior to requesting reservations, please review the frequently asked questions below.

Registration for Don Pasquale Open Now

STUDY GUIDE
Opera Omaha prepares a study guide for each Student Dress Rehearsal, which includes information about attending an opera and the production, discussion questions, and a list of additional resources. The study guide is sent to teachers approximately three weeks in advance of the Student Dress Rehearsal.

ARTIST VISITS
Opera Omaha will offer a limited number of artist visits to those attending Don Pasquale Student Dress Rehearsals. Artist visits will take place the week following the performances, October 30-November 4. Based on your requests and the interests of your classroom, these can include musical performances, Q&A sessions, or discussion of life as an opera artist. If you are interested in an artist from the production visiting with your students, indicate that on your reservation and you will be contacted by a member of the Opera Omaha staff. Spaces are limited and will be reserved on a first come, first serve basis.

PRELUDE TALKS
Prior to each Student Dress Rehearsal there is a Prelude talk in the balcony. These 20-minute talks give student audiences extra insight into the opera they are about to experience with information about the story, music, history and more.

Opera Omaha study guides and resources help align the Dress Rehearsal Experience with Nebraska’s Fine Arts Standards in Music and Theatre.

Opera Omaha is dedicated to empowering school communities to provide arts learning opportunities for all students. If you have questions or suggestions about how we could make the Student Dress Rehearsals or opera more engaging for your students, please let us know! For more information please contact:

Lauren Medici, Director of Engagement Programs
lmedici@operaomaha.org
(402) 346-7372