"I could not leave school without letting you know how much we all enjoyed your performance today.  The children and teachers have not stopped talking about it.  Bravo!  You were all fantastic!" (Sent via email 1 hour after a recent performance of Diamonds and Toads.)

After several years of touring the successful production of Little Red Riding Hood to schools and communities throughout Massachusetts, Greater Worcester Opera is pleased to offer an original production for elementary age students.  Diamonds and Toads is based on the French fairy tale by Perrault and tells the tale of two sisters and how by way of a Fairy they learn the value of kind speech and empathy.  This tale has a valuable lesson, and is also an excellent introduction to the music of Mozart.  The cast features Sandy Fritze as the Fairy, Erin Conley/Christine Petkus as Rose and Elaine Crane as Grace, with storybook sets and costumes.  The production gave its first performance on January 30, 2009 in Worcester and is now booking performances in schools and communities throughout Massachusetts and other New England states.

To schedule this show at your school or community center, please follow this link: schedule a show.

Study Guide: GWO has compiled a 21-page study guide which contains information about the production (including the original story), musical terms, puzzles, games, enrichment activities, cast biographies and much more.  Also included in the study guide is important information for school administrators.  To download an Adobe pdf version of our study guide, click the following link: DOWNLOAD STUDY GUIDE.

Photo Gallery of Diamonds and Toads
Pictures from our living, musical "story book"
photos courtesy of Paige Crane