MOZART, YOU KID, YOU!

Developed by Michael Barrett and Jamie Bernstein
Written by Jamie Bernstein

(EXCERPT)
 
I went to Italy 3 different times. What a great place -- especiallyNaples! I discovered three really great things in Naples: ice cream, chocolate, and OPERA. I couldn't WAIT to write my own opera. I tell you, there's nothing better than hearing that overture start up, and knowing that you're about to hear all that beautiful singing.  Wait -- you do know what an overture is, right? Yeah, it's the music at the very beginning of the opera, before the curtain goes up. (to orch) Hey, do you guys happen to know the overture to "Die Schuldigkeit des ersten Gebotes?" You do? Great! (to aud) Here's my very first overture from my very first opera -- which I wrote when I was 11.  
                     
MUSIC: Overture to "Die Schuldigkeit des ersten Gebotes"
K 35            (11 yrs old)           
 
 

'Mozart, You Kid You!' at Moab Music Festival, Michael Barrett, conductor; Sept. 2006. Photo by: Jonas Goodman