Saturday Mornings At The Opera

jestcafe.com-opera-for-kids-34

In our search for trying to elevate our kids’ minds and souls, some friend and I took the children to the Saturday Mornings at the Opera back in April. Every season, the LA Opera does a couple of presentations at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion that are appropriate and fun for kids. The idea is to introduce them to this genre in a gentle way that would encourage them to see opera in the future.

We all know that opera can sound scary (and boring), so the Saturday Mornings at the Opera are a gentle way of brainwashing the youth into believing opera is just beautiful songs and comedy. You know they are bound to be disappointed the first time they see Wagner, but, hopefully, by that time they will be so addicted to it that they will keep on coming back for more… not minding the stress and tragedy. Aw! The beauty of misleading your children while you still can.

jestcafe.com-opera-for-kids13Beautiful stairs will lead you the way to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. jestcafe.com-opera-for-kidsjestcafe.com-opera-for-kids12 jestcafe.com-opera-for-kids32jestcafe.com-opera-for-kids26jestcafe.com-opera-for-kids19The theater opens its door at 10 am. From 10 to 11 there is a lot of action for kids -crafts, playing music, games, etc. We were one of the first people to arrive, so Víctor had the drums section all by himself. He is very musical and run to the drums as soon as he saw them. He sat down and played some improvised duets with some of the staff.
jestcafe.com-opera-for-kids10 jestcafe.com-opera-for-kids9 jestcafe.com-opera-for-kids6Max is into everything Víctor does. He sat down next to his brother and did his best drumming with his small hands that have zero eye-hand coordination. It was all very cute. My kids are so lucky to have access to all these opportunities and adventures. Hopefully they take advantage of them and make a difference in the world.jestcafe.com-opera-for-kids4 jestcafe.com-opera-for-kids3 1/2 hour later, kids were still drumming.jestcafe.com-opera-for-kids5jestcafe.com-opera-for-kids11Crafts time!

There were 4 different tables with crafts. The kids tried them all and had plenty of fun. jestcafe.com-opera-for-kids7 jestcafe.com-opera-for-kids31jestcafe.com-opera-for-kids8jestcafe.com-opera-for-kids30This nice woman played with my kids for 10 minutes throwing colorful handkerchiefs at them. Probably my kids’ highlight of the event.jestcafe.com-opera-for-kids2 Look at that happy face!jestcafe.com-opera-for-kids29jestcafe.com-opera-for-kids25Max ends up every activity laying on the floor thinking about who knows what. jestcafe.com-opera-for-kids24Can this guy be any skinnier? I swear I feed him daily. LOVE!jestcafe.com-opera-for-kids23 Now, to that Figaro flag.jestcafe.com-opera-for-kids28jestcafe.com-opera-for-kids22 jestcafe.com-opera-for-kids21 jestcafe.com-opera-for-kids20

Finally, at 11am, the show started. It was located on the second floor, with plenty of sitting on the floor and chairs in the back. The production lasted only 1 hour and it touched upon 3 operas from French playwright Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais (1732-1799) that have a character named Figaro in them -The Marriage of Figaro, The Barber of Seville, and The Ghosts Of Versailles-.

jestcafe.com-opera-for-kids27jestcafe.com-opera-for-kids17 jestcafe.com-opera-for-kids16 jestcafe.com-opera-for-kids18

The show was energetic, fun and engaging. Thankfully, it was also in English (including the arias) so the kids could understand what was going on. They sat down for the whole hour paying full attention, including Max, and not one of them was ready to leave when it ended. SCORE!

The next shows are in Season 16/17, with tickets coming out in October. A long waiting time, but so worth it, plus the tickets are only $15! I am definitely taking the kids back, and I can’t recommend it enough for those of you in LA that are looking for  something fun to do with the kids.

Have a great weekend!

 

Also, a post about The Huntington Library and Gardens the Kidspace Children Museum, and, Nexgen Family Sundays at LACMA.

Let Us Connect:
6 replies
  1. madebyxmex says:

    “The beauty of misleading your children when you still can.”
    Oh boy, you are so very funny.
    Like how you got the interest Max had with the Figaro flag – second last picture.

    It sounds so good; if we were a bit closer, alright- a LOT closer- I would have taken myself to these events.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *