If you missed the Showcase for Children’s Librarians, you missed my hilarious straitjacket escape while singing Figaro’s aria from The Barber of Seville by Rossini. It was truly a one-of-a-kind performance — librarians literally “rolling in the aisles” of the auditorium with laughter. As well-received as that demonstration was, I’ve encountered some questions that I’d like to answer here.

Librarians want to know what’s going to happen in the rest of the show. Each aria is introduced with a brief description of what is going on in the story, and the opera is sung live to a recorded orchestra track. Visual magic tricks are the vehicle that help tell the story.

Here are a few additional items:

• Amazing interactive magic
• Hilarious situational comedy
• Historical background of opera
• Plot information about the arias

All arias are performed live along with recorded orchestra tracks. The arias are first narrated to explain what is going on in the story, and then performed as in the original opera — the visual magic effects are carefully chosen to illustrate the story. To round out the program there is in an interactive question and answer period.

Please take a look at the letters of recommendation. See the videos here.

I look forward to bringing Opera-Kadabra to your facility. Please call me at your earliest convenience to reserve your date. My phone number is toll free (866) 865-5105.

Sincerely,
Patrick Bell