Education

WCO has a long history of offering educational programs for school age children, introducing them to the world of opera.  Founder and former Artistic Director Stephen Crout presented these programs himself, playing the piano and accompanying singers.  Since 2003, the educational programs have been led by tenor Peter Burroughs, a familiar presence on the stages of Washington, DC and his accompanist Carlos Cesar Rodriguez.  Together they present CoOPERAtion, an interactive program for elementary school age children which features both singing and movement.

After presenting new educational programs during the 2010-2011 season, with a multi-week course on opera rarities presented by John Cahill, a well-known lecturer in Continuing Adult Education and Senior Programs in the Washington, WCO will present a new series of lectures starting Tuesday, February 28, 2012.  WCO and the Iona Senior Center are pleased to offer six more infrequently performed but significant operas that will appeal to both newcomers and longtime fans. Peter Russell,  the founding Artistic Advisor of WCO, and formerly with the Wolf Trap Opera Company, the Metropolitan Opera, and Opera Colorado, will provide commentary on the works and introduce key dramatic and musical scenes for each opera.

The series will be held on Tuesdays from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. as follows:

February 28 – L’Africaine by Meyerbeer 
March 6 - I Vespri Siciliani by Verdi
March 13 – Maria Stuarda by Donizetti 
March 20 – Arabella by R. Strauss
March 27 – The Rake’s Progress by Stravinsky 
April 3 - Samson et Dalila by Saint-Saëns and Samson by Handel

The Iona Center is located at 4125 Albemarle Street, NW, about two blocks from the Tenleytown Metro stop (Red Line).  There is limited free parking under the building or metered street parking.  The cost for the series is $60 and registration is now open.  To sign up, contact the Iona Center at 202-895-9448.  The fee for individual operas is $10, payable at the door.