Outstanding

aria for lyric soprano from Lesson Plan (PDF Download)

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Lesson Plan brings an internationally celebrated operatic contralto into the world of online teaching while her headlining stage engagements are put on hold. Thought to be teaching trained singers at a prestigious conservatory, she catches her assistant in a scheduling faux pas and instead takes the stage for a community college with the same acronym – a group with little singing experience or interest in what the great diva had in mind. Intercepted by an overwhelmed school administrator with a side hustle as an amateur choir director, the pair clash over teaching technique, singing and the true meaning of art. At this point in the opera, ROBINETTA urges ALICE to abandon her Italian-infused persona and own her humble Skokie roots. ROBINETTA sings passionately about her decision to stay in Middletown, Indiana and enrich its musical life; Middletown’s dreams, if less grand, are no less noble than ALICE’s and are worth attention, care, and respect.

This opera was originally conceived for virtual performance on Zoom and then rewritten for live performance. This piano/vocal score reflects the live performance version. The aria is intended for performance by a Black soprano.