The Little Prince: Washington National Opera Working Rehearsal

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Washington National Opera Working Rehearsal

Deborah F. Rutter President Darrell M. Ayers Vice President, Education

Michael L. Mael Executive Director

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT… Author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was a pilot whose plane disappeared during a 1944 war mission. Why do you think he chose a pilot as his narrator? n

Though the prince very rarely joins adults in song, he does sing a duet with the lamplighter. Why do you think the composer chose to have them sing together? n

The flute often plays alongside the prince’s voice. Why do you think the composer chose this instrument to accompany the Little Prince? (Hint: Think light, soft sounds.) n

WHAT TO WATCH AND LISTEN FOR… How the musical melodies may rise and fall along with the characters’ feelings. For example, the voice of the well water keeps getting higher and higher as the prince and pilot enjoy a happy scene. n

The scary music for the baobab trees. Listen for the low-sounding instruments and the forceful drums that represent these destructive plants. What do the sounds remind you of? Also watch for baobabs’ slimy, slinky-like costumes. n

How the prince and the pilot occasionally sing in short, choppy bursts with very little instruments, but also sing longer, soaring phrases with the whole orchestra joining in. Why do you think the composer uses these different styles? n

Francesca Zambello Artistic Director

Rachel Portman’s

The Little Prince Libretto by Nicholas Wright

Directed by Francesca Zambello

Conducted by Nicole Paiement

With members of the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program and the WNO Children’s Chorus

General Dynamics is the proud sponsor of WNO’s 2014-2015 Season. WNO acknowledges the longstanding generosity of Life Chairman Mrs. Eugene B. Casey. The Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program is made possible through the generous support of The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation.

Take a trip through space and time with a mysterious little prince as he gives a lonely pilot some valuable lessons in life, love, and laughter. But keep an eye out for some silly characters and creepy creatures—and be sure to steer clear of baobab trees.

Additional funding for the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program is provided by Judy and Billy Cox. Events for Students is made possible by Kaplan, Inc.; Mr. James V. Kimsey; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; and the U.S. Department of Education. Major support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by David and Alice Rubenstein through the Rubenstein Arts Access Program. Education and related artistic programs are made possible through the generosity of the National Committee for the Performing Arts and the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts.

www.artsedge.kennedy-center.org Cuesheets are produced by ARTSEDGE, an education program of the Kennedy Center.

Learn more about education at the Kennedy Center at www.kennedy-center.org/education The contents of this Cuesheet have been developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education and do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. © 2014 The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Performance Guide

David M. Rubenstein Chairman

Cuesheet

The Little Prince searches for his planet in the night sky.

Major support for WNO is provided by Jacqueline Badger Mars. David and Alice Rubenstein are the Presenting Underwriters of WNO.


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