What made the Wild West a trill a minute?

A scene from L.A. Opera's "Girl of the Golden West."
PHOTOGRAPHER: Robert Millard

This Learning Link was provided by the Los Angeles Opera, which performs at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in downtown Los Angeles.

California has a rich and colorful history. Explorers, miners, cowboys and Native Americans have all called it home. There are plenty of films, TV shows and novels about these people, but did you know there is also an opera?

An opera is a theatrical performance in which the actors sing their lines instead of speaking them.

Large orchestras play the music, and choruses of men, women and sometimes children are also part of the show.

Italian composer Giacomo Puccini wrote an opera that takes place during the California Gold Rush of the mid-1800s. It's called "The Girl of the Golden West" ("La fanciulla del West" in Italian). It tells the story of a strong pioneer woman named Minnie who runs a saloon called the Polka Inn. All the men in town are in love with her, especially the sheriff. But Minnie goes for a stranger who is said to be an outlaw.

Does this sound like an opera to you? It would, if you could hear the beautiful orchestral music and soaring voices. And you can! The Los Angeles Opera has an in-school opera just for elementary school kids called "The Prospector," based on Puccini's work. It features a spirited cowgirl, outlaws, miners and students as singing coyotes. It's just one of the programs offered by the opera's Education Department. For more information go to www.losangelesopera.com/company/edu cation_programs.asp or call (213) 972-7258.

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