Funny Opera Characters
This Week —
Are you thinking that opera is about as funny as a root canal? Then I have news for you: opera can be hilarious AF! Not many people know this, but sprinkled in with all the tragic operas out there are some incredibly funny works with plotlines like some poor moron falling head over heels for a mechanical doll and the kooky consequences of a girl dressing up as a boy dressing up as a girl to evade detection by a jealous count.
Listen To —
Mozart (the absolute king of comedy), Rossini, and Donizetti were geniuses at crafting comedic operas because they actually wrote music that sounded funny. In this playlist, you’ll listen to light and humorous pieces from The Elixir of Love, The Marriage of Figaro, and The Barber of Seville. And of course, I couldn’t resist peppering the playlist with stellar arias from Romeo et Juliette, Carmen, and Rigoletto.
Bring The Opera Home —
Each of these arias has a great story behind it, but you don’t need to learn about each of them. Instead, you can grab some playdough and create characters to act out these arias! I created a print-out to get your wee ones inspired and playing with their figurines to the rhythm of the music. This is a great exercise in listening, imitating, and pretending. And regarding the dough itself, my absolute favorite is from The Dough Project, which is made with simple all-natural ingredients like beets, turmeric, spirulina, and purple carrots! YAAAS. You can buy jars or DIY mixes to make them at home. So bring on the hijinks and the Home Opera Theatre!
Happy playing!
(Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Green Kid Crafts and I will earn a commission when you click through and make a purchase)
Don’t have Spotify? Listen on YouTube!