This past Monday was absolutely electric. I was with Artist Magnet Justice Alliance for a live performance and recording of “I’m A Warrior,” a powerful aria from Steve Wallace’s The Count of Monte Cristo. Hearing the incredible transopera star Breanna Sinclaire deliver that performance was a powerful reminder of the sheer scale and emotional depth that opera can achieve.
All that magnificent sound and storytelling got me thinking about a different, but equally fantastic, opera experience my family and I had this past summer.
We took the kids to the San Francisco Opera’s “Opera at the Box” in Hayward. The performance? La Bohème.
I know what you’re thinking: “Opera? With kids? With five-year-olds?”
Yes. And it was brilliant. This event wasn’t just a performance; it was a masterclass in making a complex art form accessible, engaging, and genuinely fun for multiple ages. It earned high marks across our entire AFROP rating system.
Here’s the breakdown.
The AFROP Rating: SF Opera at the Box
A (Active Brains): High
This is where the event truly excelled. The SF Opera team clearly thought about how to get young brains working.
- The Puppet Show: Before the opera began, they used a puppet show to tell the entire story of La Bohème. This gave the kids a complete narrative map, so when the “real” show started, they had context and could anticipate the action.
- The Bingo Cards: They provided bingo cards to help the kids follow along, looking for specific characters, props, or actions.
- Decoding the Story: The performance wasn’t in English, which could have been a huge barrier. Instead, the organizers turned it into a learning opportunity. They actively gave tips on how to understand what was happening by reading facial expressions, listening to vocal tones, and watching body language. It was a fantastic, practical lesson in empathy and non-verbal communication.
F (Focused Art): High
This experience engaged all the senses and, whether intentionally or not, met multiple learning modalities. You had the rich auditory experience of the music, the visual spectacle of the performance, and because it was outdoors, it even connected with “naturalist” learners.
R (Real Experiences): High
It was the real deal—live, professional opera singers and musicians. Being outdoors, immersed in the story and the music, made it a tangible, memorable experience far removed from a screen.
O (Opportunities): High
This was a huge one. The kids had the opportunity to apply new knowledge (the story from the puppet show) and new skills (reading non-verbal cues) in real-time. They weren’t just passively watching; they were actively deciphering a story.
P (Practicalities): High
This is what made it all possible. The opera was abridged to a one-hour outdoor performance. This is the sweet spot: just long enough to be worth the trip and feel substantial, but short enough to keep my five-year-olds engaged from start to finish. Being outdoors also meant less stress about wiggles and whispers.
My Pro-Tips for Next Time
While the event was amazing, a little preparation makes it perfect. If you ever attend an outdoor, daytime performance like this, I’d highly suggest bringing:
- An umbrella, small pop-up tent, or at least hats for shade.
- A big blanket to spread out on.
- Plenty of snacks and water to keep everyone comfortable and chill.
From the grand, soul-stirring performance of “I’m A Warrior” to a family-friendly, sun-drenched La Bohème, these experiences prove that opera isn’t some dusty, untouchable relic. It’s a living, breathing art form that has the power to connect with all of us, at any age.
Leave a Reply