How we're going to write this opera with you
step one: collect story ideas
This webpage is the first step. We (Erin and Alex) have created it especially for you, as a way for us to gather your initial ideas about the setting and primary conflict that will drive our opera story. As we collect your ideas, we'll begin to piece them together in order to shape the plot of the opera. The questions on the webpage may change as we focus in on different characters or places, so be sure to come back and visit it again!
step two: create a story map
Once we've gathered all of your great ideas, we'll put together an outline of the opera story that clearly spells out what happens from beginning to end. Once the story is set, we'll pick two moments filled with big emotions to become the main song moments of the opera. Submit your story ideas by January 1st, 2014 to make sure they get included in our outline.
step three: write Lyrics (words to the songs)
Once we have a clear outline for our story, we'll be visiting the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History to get your help writing the words for two song moments in the opera. Because we don't know what the story looks like yet, we can't tell you exactly what these songs will be, but we're guessing that one will involve a snow spell, and the other will involve a castle.
At the MAH's Free First Friday on January 3rd, we'll teach you the basics of lyric writing, and collect your ideas for what the words should be for our opera's main song moments.
At the MAH's Free First Friday on January 3rd, we'll teach you the basics of lyric writing, and collect your ideas for what the words should be for our opera's main song moments.
step Four: Improvise melodies
While Erin is gathering words at fist friday, Alex will be working with you to gather ideas for how to sing those words. Don't know how to make up melodies? Never fear! That's where we come in. With a recoding device and a memory like a steel trap, Alex will teach you what you need to know, gather your melodic ideas, and put them into a finished piece that will become part of the final opera.
step five: put it all together
At the end, we'll bring together all your ideas for the opera's story, text, and music into a finished opera to be performed at the MAH's Winterpalooza on January 25th. On the day of Winterpalooza there will be more opportunities to write words and music, so if you didn't have a chance to share your ideas before then, never fear! And during the performance itself, it will be up to you how it all ends.