Puss in Boots - Music Resource

‘If you will follow my advice, your fortune is made.’ Puss from Puss in Boots
Puss in Boots is the story of an extraordinary cat who decides to change the fortune of his poor master armed
with just a bag and a new pair of boots. From chasing rabbits to challenging a powerful ogre, this cat’s
crafty ways soon earn his master the celebrated title of Marquis of Carabas, the admiration of the King and
the attentions of the beautiful Princess. For this hunter, trickster and fast talker, nothing is impossible!
Puss in Boots (El gato con botas), an opera for children, was written by Catalan composer Xavier
Montsalvatge and based on Charles Perrault’s much loved fairytale. Its light and charming music has been
described by critics as ‘a joy to hear’ and is the perfect choice for Victorian Opera’s highly successful
Education Program for schools. This specially created one hour show is designed to introduce children and
families to the magic of opera.
Puss in Boots
29 May – 1 June 2013
Fairfax Studio, Arts Centre Melbourne
Puss in Boots is presented in partnership with Arts Centre Melbourne.
Visit our interactive Wall online for facts, behind-the-scenes and resources and more!
Puss in Boots Education Resource - Music © Victorian Opera
Overview
To prepare students for their visit to of Puss in Boots we
suggest that you:
 Activity 1: Ensure students are familiar with the story
 Activity 2: Introduce students to the characters,
including their voice types
 Activity 3: Complete some guided listening activities
 Activity 4: Carry out some performance activities


We suggest using the following recording of the
opera on Spotify:
El Gato con Botas, Xavier Montsalvatge 2003
Columna Musica.
Spotify is a music streaming service. You’ll need to
sign up to access the playlists and can sign up for
free.


Download the story via
‘Storynory’
‘Storynory’ is a free website
with free audio and text
versions of the story that
students can listen to and
read along with. Students can
make an online
comment/feedback after
reading. There is also further
information about the author
and the other stories the
author has written.
Puss in Boots is the story of an
extraordinary cat who decides to change
the fortune of his poor master armed with
just a bag and a new pair of boots. From
chasing rabbits to challenging a powerful
ogre, this cat’s crafty ways soon earn his
master the celebrated title of Marquis of
Carabas, the admiration of the King and
the attentions of the beautiful Princess.
For this hunter, trickster and fast talker,
nothing is impossible!
Figure 1: The Marquis Of Carabas - His Picture Book © Walter Crane
Puss in Boots Education Resource - Music © Victorian Opera
For younger students
 Create puppets of each character and ‘act out’ as the
story is read
 For example: Draw each character or colour in
pictures of each character then cut out and stick to an
icy pole stick
For older students

Assign parts to each of the students

Read through the libretto/script

Add props to help denote each character such as
hats, cloaks, crowns etc

To include all students, swap actors at the end of
each scene

Discuss characters, voices, movement etc.
Figure 2: Victorian Opera Puss in Boots © Ross Hall

Copy and print off copies of the Word
Match from the next page
A. Cut into horizontal strips and have students:
1. Place in order of voices – highest to lowest
2. Listen to individual tracks and identify which
characters are singing
3. Place each strip on a piece of A4 paper and
draw the character
4. Place each strip on a piece of paper and
write a description of the character
B. Cut into individual squares and have
students:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Figure 3: Victorian Opera Puss in Boots © Ross Hall
Puss in Boots Education Resource - Music © Victorian Opera
Match the character with their description
Match the character with their voice type
Match the voice type with its description
Match character, description, voice type and
voice description
Word Match Grid
High female voice; a
little lower than
Soprano
The wiley character is a cat
who has grand plans for
his new master, the Miller.
Puss can be performed by
a female or male.
Tenor
Highest classical
MALE voice
The Miller is a poor young
man, disappointed that his
recently acquired
inheritance is only a rather
demanding cat.
Baritone
The most common
male voice type. Sits
in between the tenor
and the bass
The King, slightly deaf, lives
with his daughter, the
Princess, in the palace.
Soprano
Highest female voice
The Princess lives in the
palace with her father, the
King.
Lowest male voice
The Ogre lives in an
enchanted palace of his
own, and enjoys drinking
wine. He is also able to
magically change his
appearance.
Soprano/Mezzo
or
Tenor
Bass
Puss in Boots Education Resource - Music © Victorian Opera
The Word Bank is a starting point for discussing how the music sounds at any particular point.
Students simply listen to any section of music and choose words from the Word Bank that they think
best describe that section.
The Word Bank is a ‘live’ list and can be added to at any time, particularly as students are listening
to, thinking about and respond to the music. The terms suggested below are generic, non-music
specific words to introduce first-time listeners to this activity. As your students become more
comfortable with music language and terminology, add in more appropriate words.
jumpy
swingy
enthusiastic
danceable
moderately
folk
changing
frightening
light-hearted
slow
medium
jerky
moderately slow
fast tense
thumpy
scary
waltz
serious
happy
energetic
very fast
calm
classical
anxious
boppy
orchestral
action-packed
smooth
consistent
romantic
opera
rippling
anticipation
choral
undulating
thoughtful
fast
very slow
rap
swaying
sad
laughing
bouncy
fun
surprising
The Word Bank can be used with any piece of music. Try using it in conjunction with the Guided Listen track.
Puss in Boots Education Resource - Music © Victorian Opera
Listen to Track #1 on the CD
 Have students follow through the ‘Action’ and see
if they can recognise what is happening
 Play through a second time and ask students to
choose words from the Word Bank to describe
music in each section – remember to add words as
students suggest them
Track One - Overture and ‘My Miserable Luck!’
Action
0.00
0.25
0.31
0.47
0.56
1.06
1.27
1.41
2.05
2.12
2.30
2.40
2.48
3.00
3.24
3.39
3.54
4.11
4.18
5.14
5.21
5.40
5.55
6.45
7.23
7.35
7.52
8.04
Overture. String section plays
Trumpets join in
String and woodwind play together
Long, strong notes
Starts slowing down
Bassoon and clarinet play
Melody played by oboe
Miller sings
Two ‘glisses’ by the strings indicate that Puss
has arrived
Puss sings
Miller sings
Puss sings
Miller sings
Oboe plays melody
Miller sings
Two glisses by strings
Miller sings
Oboe melody
Clarinet solo
Two glisses by strings
Miller sings
Gato sings
Orchestra plays
Miller and Puss sing together (duet)
Puss sings
Miller sings
Miller and Puss sing together
Ending
Puss in Boots Education Resource - Music © Victorian Opera
Words to Describe the Music
Create a storyboard on your classroom wall
Listen to one track of music at a time and use the corresponding scene from the storyboard to:
 Draw a picture of the characters in that scene and what they are doing
 Write down words that describe the music – use Word Bank
 Use squares from the Word Match – place them on the storyboard in the order they appear
 Create puppets of each character (cut out paper puppets) and work with a partner to act out
each scene/track according to the description
 Discuss and become each character and act out each scene according to the description by
moving around the room and miming to the vocals
Puss in Boots - Act 1
Track 1 – Overture + Miserable My Luck!
Miller, Puss
Miller is miserable because he has inherited a cat. Puss replies “A smart cat!”
Miller considers frying or roasting the cat, or making a hat out of him!
The music slows and Puss asks his master to listen to him. He explains that if the Miller will give him a pair of
boots, a hat, and a cape made of satin he will bring a princess with golden hair.
Track 2 – I Don’t Understand What My Cat Wants!
Miller, Puss
The Miller sings that he doesn’t understand why Puss wants these gifts, but he gets a red satin cape, a hat
and a sword. Puss comes to collect the items from his Master the Miller. Puss sets off to look for a white
rabbit that he has seen before. Three rabbits appear and dance.
Track 3 – The King
King
The King appears and proclaims “All goes well here in my kingdom. No war, the country is peaceful!” The
King then, after some discussion, announces they are indeed going off to war! “To war, me!, To war, men!
Marching forward, chests high, demonstrating to the enemy your bravery”
Track 4 – The Cat and the King
Puss, King, Princess
Puss comes out to watch and presents himself to the King and the Princess. Puss introduces himself to the
King as the servant of the Marquis (who is really the Miller) and gives the three rabbits he has caught to the
King, saying they are a present from the Marquis. The King is very happy.
Track 5 – The Letter
Puss, Princess
Puss also presents a letter to the Princess which he says is from his Master, the marquis. It is a romantic letter.
The Princess is impressed and asks Puss to tell his Master that she is now in love with him.
Puss in Boots Education Resource - Music © Victorian Opera
Puss In Boots - ACT II
Track 6 – Interlude
Puss, Miller
Puss convinces the Miller to climb into the cold, swirling river to wait for the King and Princess to come by.
The Miller objects, but does so and calls out “Oh, help me!”. As the King, Princess and other members of
the court come by Puss calls out “Oh help me, please help us! My Master fell in there! The rushing current
sweeps him away, don’t you care?”
The King comes rushing to see what has happened and Puss invents a story about his Master falling into the
river. The King orders his footmen and servants to rescue the Miller from the river. The King then orders The
Chamberlain to exchange his clothes for the Miller’s wet ones. The Princess sings her wishes for the
Miller/Marquie’s rescue. The Miller is saved and the Puss, who is well known to the King, presents the Miller
as his Master, the Marqui.
Track 7 – Interlude
Track 8 – The Ogre
Ogre
In the enchanted palace of the Ogre.
The Ogre sings about himself, “So you think my nose is like a giant eggplant which has been filled up with a
lot of dark wine?” Puss enters and bow to the Ogre. Puss asks the Ogre if it’s true that he processes magic
powers and can turn himself into other things, like a dog, a deer, a rabbit or a lion. The Ogre says of
course, and turns himself into a lion and then dances.
Track 9 – The Ogre and the Mouse
Ogre, Puss
Then Puss asks if the Ogre can turn himself into something very small, and the Ogre turns himself into a
mouse. 65 The mouse is suddenly chased by Puss who catches it and eats it. At that moment the King and
his retinue arrive. Puss welcomes the King and pretends that the palace belongs to his Master.
Track 10 – The Princess and the Marquis
Princess, Miller, Puss
The Miller/Marquis and the Princess meet and fall in love. The King is impressed with the Miller/Marquis and
hopes that he will propose to the Princess so they can all come and live in the palace.
Puss congratulates his Master on today becoming known as the Marquis, and possible son-in-law to the
King. The Miller/Marquis and the Princess sing about how in love they are. All sing about the possibility of a
wedding. The King agrees to Miller/Marquis marrying his daughter
Track 11 – Celebration Dance
The Marquis, the Princess, the King and the whole court joins in a celebratory dance.
Track 12 - The End of the Story
Puss
Puss sings that’s he’s happy with the way everything’s turned out and curls up asleep on the throne.
Puss in Boots Education Resource - Music © Victorian Opera
What is Opera?
Opera is a complex art form that has been around since about 1600. In 2013 there are many styles of
opera performance, but basically, they all have one thing in common – an opera is a play that is sung.
What is a Typical Opera Story?
Initially, most opera stories were taken from mythology. Since then composers have taken stories from a
variety of sources including literature, history, Shakespearean plays, children’s stories, real events and even
Hollywood movies!
How Many people Does It Take to Make an Opera?
Many. The creation of an opera involves a composer, who write the music and a librettist, who writes the
words, usually adapted from an existing story. That’s the easy part. The hard part is bringing an opera to life
on the stage. This can involve an army of hundreds of workers that include the artists – singers, dancers,
conductors, orchestral musicians, language coaches, music staff and directors; the designers – lighting,
scenery and costumes; the craftspersons – set builders, costumiers and wig makers; the technical staff – stage
managers, lighting technicians, fly operators, stage mechanists, electricians, surtitle operators, dressers; and
of course the managers who coordinate all of the above. The philosopher Voltaire said ‘of all the noises
known to man, opera is the most expensive’.
What Comes First – the Words or the Music?
The creation of an opera is usually a collaboration - which means the composer and librettist work
closely together.
What are the different types of operatic voices?
There are five major voice types – Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano (both females), Tenor, Baritone and Bass
(all males) with further categories defining each particular voice.
What does it take to be an opera singer?
Years of discipline and training. A singer needs to possess a good instrument (the voice) to start with
and then spend years developing it. A singer needs to be able to sing acoustically in large auditoriums
and be heard above an orchestra, which can sometimes have as many as 80 players.
What is an aria?
This is a song for solo voice. The aria allows the singer to pause and reflect on action that has passed
and express their inner thoughts and feelings.
What is a recitative?
Recitative was used in the 18 th and early 19 th century much like dialogue is used in music theatre of
today. There are two kinds of recitative: secco – accompanied on a harpsichord or accompagnato –
accompanied by the orchestra.
What is an ensemble?
Music for two or more singers singing together, for example in a duet or trio. A large ensemble would
be called the chorus.
Where will we be seeing the opera?
At the Arts Centre, Fairfax Theatre. This is a small theatre seating around 360 people, so you will be
close to the action.
Applause
Play it by ear and follow along with the rest of the audience. However, audiences generally applaud at
the end of the overture and often at the completion of arias – and wildly at the end!
Puss in Boots Education Resource - Music © Victorian Opera
1. The Arts, Communication and Thinking Processes
The Teaching and Learning activities suggested in this resource have been designed in accordance with
the Victorian Essential Learning Standards for The Arts, Communication and Thinking Processes
Domains.
Domain Dimension
Activity
The Arts
Exploring and responding
Creating and making
Activity #3 Word Match
Activity #2 – Make Your Own ‘Puss In Boots’ play
Communication
Listening, viewing and
responding
Activity
Activity
Activity
Activity
Activity
#1
#2
#4
#5
#6
–
–
–
–
–
Get to Know the Story
Make Your Own ‘Puss In Boots’ play
Word Bank
Guided Listening – Track One
Guided Listening Storyboard
Thinking
processes
Reasoning, process and
inquiry; Creativity;
Reflection; Evaluation and
metacognition
Activity
Activity
Activity
Activity
#2
#4
#5
#6
–
–
–
–
Make Your Own ‘Puss In Boots’ play
Word Bank
Guided Listening – Track One
Guided Listening Storyboard
Puss in Boots Education Resource - Music © Victorian Opera
With thanks to Sue Arney.
For enquiries about our 2013 Education Program contact:
Melissa Harris, Education Manager
E: [email protected]
P: 03 9012 6652
Engage with us @ facebook.com/vopera
Join in the conversation @ twitter.com/victorianopera #victorianopera
See our snapshots @instagram/victorianopera
View our opera journey @ youtube.com/victorianoperapage
Discover our 2013 Education Season @ victorianopera.com.au/education
Read our behind-the-scenes blog @ victorianopera.com.au/blog
Victorian Opera Education Program is generously supported by the Victorian Opera Education Syndicate.
Puss in Boots is presented in partnership with Arts Centre Melbourne.
Puss in Boots Education Resource - Music © Victorian Opera