By Mark Llewelyn Evans (author) , Karl Davies (illustrator) Part of the ABC of Opera series
"An irresistible introduction to classical music for the young"
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Think opera and young children don’t go together? Think again! This liveliest of histories introduces children to Mozart, Rossini and Beethoven and their work, in an engaging and informative tour of the Classical period. It’s all facilitated through magical time travel: best friends Megan and Jack are on a school trip in London when they suddenly find themselves whisked back in time to eighteenth century Europe.
Before you can say semibreve, they are face to face with composers and some famous royals too in a hectic adventure that is packed full of musical facts and information. Illustrations by Karl Davies do even more to bring the composers vividly to life. Wunderkind Mozart is bound to emerge the favourite but expect young readers to demand more information on the featured composers and to listen to their music too. Bravo!
Written by world-renowned opera singer and founder of ABC of Opera Productions Mark Llewelyn Evans, ABC of Opera: Classical provides children with an enjoyable and educational first glimpse into the often daunting world of opera and classical music.
Read the full description
When a school trip to the Natural History Museum in London reunites Jack and Megan with their old friend Trunk, they are whisked away to the Academy of Barmy Composers and the cities of Salzburg, Vienna and Paris for an adventure in opera’s classical period (1750–1820). Tasked with taking the music and stories of Windy Wolfie (Mozart, the penniless prodigy), Tortellini Rossini (the king of the dining table) and the moody but resilient Bilious Beethoven back to the present, will they be able to triumph over the return of Mozart’s most evil creation?
‘The Academy of Barmy Composers is gloriously full of fun and facts, illustrated lavishly and quite irresistible. Fabulous in every way.’ Joanna Lumley
‘A text that tempts, informs and delights. A pleasure to read.’ Professor Teresa Cremin of the Open University
‘Book 2 from the ABC is a vibrant read with dynamic characters leaping from every page. Visually thrilling, it’s a dazzlingly colourful whirlwind ride through a fascinating world.’ Eloise Williams
‘The history of classical music has never been so much fun!’ The National Children’s Orchestra
‘A visual feast. The story of opera told in such a fun and engaging way.’ Sir Bryn Terfel CBE
‘The pace and the characterisation are top-class. It’s a page turner as well as being full of interesting facts.’ Terry Deary, author of Horrible Histories.
‘ABC of Opera is an inspiring concept which could totally change the way young people and families engage with this amazing art form.’ Welsh National Opera
‘colourful, informative and riotously unstuffy.’ 5-star review, BBC Music Magazine
Mark Llewelyn Evans is the founder and creative director of ABC of Opera Productions, which tours UK-wide introducing children to the stories and glories of the opera through music and storytelling. Mark is a professional opera singer who has sung the principal baritone roles for many of the opera houses and lives in Llantrisant, Wales. Mark was the winner of the Amati Guildhall Creative Entrepreneurs’ Award 2019.
A short Q and A with Mark Llewelyn Evans:
1) How would you summarise ABC of Opera Classical and how it follows on from Baroque? There’s so much in this second adventure for our opera heroes. From a school trip to the natural history museum they are swished for a pit stop to The Academy where Hectic Haydn sends them immediately to Salzburg to meet the gassy genius (Windy Wolfie). Jack and Megan gate-crash a royal appointment with the Hapsburgs and the Crazy Classicals learn a new way to communicate with Bilious Beethoven. Then it’s to Paris where Jack and Megan meet the Charismatic Chevalier, an evil Queen and a magic flute that saves the day just before the guillotine falls!
2)What inspired you to write ABC of Opera books? I was about 16 when I saw my first opera at the Grand theatre, Swansea with the Welsh National opera. I had never thought of a career in the arts, especially opera, but that performance stirred something in me. In 1988 I started my study at the Guildhall school of music and Drama which was followed by an intensive year at the National opera studio, London. For over 25 years I have sung title roles for many opera houses but I have also delivered school workshops as I strongly believe that igniting children’s imaginations is one of the greatest gifts we can give. In 2016 I started my own school workshop company, ABC of Opera. I wanted the story of opera to deliver invaluable life-lessons to children through a lively exploration of the lives and music of the world’s greatest composers, whilst also building character, celebrating difference and encouraging creativity. The ABC of Opera has now delivered over 200 workshops to primary schools across the UK with remarkable results and are now working in partnership with University of Wales, Trinity St David and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
3)Tell us about some of the unique characters we meet during the story. The Academy of Barmy Composers is where history and fiction come together and that’s why the research takes me months. In Classical we meet Hectic Haydn (the father of the Classical period), Windy Wolfie (Mozart), Bilious Beethoven (Beethoven), Marie Antoinette, Tortellini Rossini (Rossini), Charismatic Chevalier (The Chevalier Saint George), Queen of the Night, The Travelling Trunk and of course our opera heroes Jack and Megan.
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Written by world-renowned opera singer and founder of ABC of Opera Productions Mark Llewelyn Evans, ABC of Opera: Classical provides children with an enjoyable and educational first glimpse into the often daunting world of opera and classical music. When a school trip to the Natural History Museum in London reunites Jack and Megan with their old friend Trunk, they are whisked away to the Academy of Barmy Composers and the cities of Salzburg, Vienna and Paris for an adventure in opera’s classical period (1750–1820). Tasked with taking the music and stories of Windy Wolfie (Mozart, the penniless prodigy), Tortellini Rossini (the king of the dining table) and the moody but resilient Bilious Beethoven back to the present, will they be able to triumph over the return of Mozart’s most evil creation?
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed ABC of Opera: Classical and determined it is suitable for children aged 7-10 years old
ABC of Opera: Classical features in the following genres: Adventure Stories, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Fantasy / Magical, Featured Books for 7+ readers, Recommendations, Historical Fiction, Music, Children’s / Teenage: General interest, Featured Books for 9+ readers
Paperback. £8.09, down from the £8.99 cover price. In Stock.
ABC of Opera: Classical was written by Mark Llewelyn Evans and published by Graffeg Limited
ABC of Opera: Classical has 68 pages
Yes it is part of ABC of Opera series
£8.09, reduced from £8.99. In Stock.
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