Opera Australia is thrilled to announce it is returning to schools across NSW in 2021, with the relaunch of its NSW Schools Tour that will present The Barber of Seville to over 100 primary schools from 15  March to 10 September.

Providing a fantastic opportunity to engage kids with music, the 2021 NSW Schools Tour is available for  bookings by primary schools across the state. Proven to deliver vast benefits for children, learning music  can increase students’ self-confidence, self-discipline and team work skills1.

Cancelled after only three weeks of touring last year due to COVID-19, Opera Australia is happy to be  able to re-mount the program and bring the magic of opera to more than 35,000 children in regional and  metropolitan areas in NSW.

“After the disappointment of cancelling the 2020 tour, it’s great we can start touring next week and get  back to introducing Australian kids to opera in this fun way”, said OA’s Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini.

The Barber of Seville is a favourite opera for kids and this 60 minute-long production was specifically  created to appeal to all ages. Featuring a cast of four opera singers and a flexible set design, schools  can host the opera in their gymnasium, hall or even a classroom.

Teachers who book the tour will receive curriculum-focused resource materials. Learning objectives  include playing instruments and musical expression, with pre-performance and post-show activities  designed to enhance the children’s experience of opera. 

Since 2000, Opera Australia has taken opera to more than 800,000 NSW school students and is  committed to continue to bring opera to young audiences across Australia.

This 2021 Schools Tour will operate within a COVID-safe environment, making the health and wellbeing  of students, teachers, parents and the artists the number one priority.

Parents, teachers and local community members interested in booking the NSW Schools Tour  to visit their local school can visit  https://opera.org.au/events/schools-programs/nsw-schools-tour/