Education Guide The Flying Dutchman by ... - Edmonton Opera

Activity: Teacher Resource
Activity: Leitmotif Bingo
Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman is a through-composed opera, which means that
although there are many important musical moments, there are very few excerptable
(completely distinct) arias or particular songs. This activity is designed to help student
listen closely for particular musical elements.
Play or photocopy the musical motifs from earlier in this guide. Introduce the students
to these motifs, even perhaps have them sing them back to you, and discuss what kinds
of emotions or feelings they seem to evoke. Then play the overture from the Flying
Dutchman (this can be streamed from www.edmontonopera.com) and challenge the
students to record how the music of the motif represents the Dutchman, Senta (and
therefore redemption), Wandering, and Fate. This activity would also work well as a
group activity, with each student listening for only one motif. Another alternative
would be to have students listen for one of the motifs and stand up or raise their hands
when they hear “their” motif.
An activity handout is available on the following page.
Education Guide
The Flying Dutchman
by Richard Wagner
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