The Singing Opera Bears are plush, cuddly teddy bears that sing beautiful arias from two of the most popular operas --“La Traviata” and “Carmen.” Each bear is dressed in costume to portray, its operatic character. The bears’ mouths are synchronized perfectly with the words as they stand and sing these captivating arias, accompanied by a full orchestra. The bears also move their heads and sway to the music as they sing. Each bear sings for approximately two minutes, twice as long as most singing toys.
These bears were especially designed to be educational for young people and to bring sheer joy to all music lovers. The bears are a perfect way to introduce children to opera and beautiful singing with a lovable toy. Each bear is about 18 inches tall and comes with a stand. Both wear costumes designed by Howard Kaplan, a costume designer for opera companies. Attached to each bear’s wrist, with a silver cord, is a small card with a short description of the opera for which the aria was written. Purchase one bear for 40 dollars or two for 75 dollars. To watch a demonstration of the bears singing visit their website at singingoperabears.com.
“Violetta” sings “Sempre Libera” “Always Free” from the beloved opera by Guiseppe Verdi, “La Traviata” with the lovely voice of Penelope Shumate, a young opera star who has sung leads with opera companies and at Carnegie Hall. Violetta is wearing little white opera gloves and a white sequined gown modeled after one worn in the Metropolitan Opera production. Reminiscent of “the Lady of the Camellias” on which the opera’s story is based, Violetta wears a white camellia on her head and sports a silver necklace with a “diamond” V.
“Escamillo” sings the “Toreador Song” from the ever popular opera, “Carmen,” by Georges Bizet. His voice is that of James Morris, the star bass baritone from the Metropolitan Opera. Escamillo is dressed in an authentic red matador outfit with a white shirt, black tie, black cap, little black patent shoes and he carries a red cape.
“Take home Violetta and Escamillo the singing opera bears! Violetta sings ”Sempre Libera” from La Traviata in the voice of Penelope Shumate and Escamillo sings “The Toreador Song” from Carmen in the voice of James Morris. These bears can be purchased online at www.singingoperabears.com or from The Modell/Lyric box office. The bears are created and donated by Mrs. Susie Macfarlane to support Lyric Opera Baltimore and many other opera companies.”
