BEVERLY SILLS: MADE IN AMERICA
VIEWING GUIDE


Name: ___________________________________


Date: _________________________


Directions:
As you watch BEVERLY SILLS: MADE IN AMERICA, answer each question below. Provide specific details to support your answers and be prepared to discuss this guide and the program in class.

1. Throughout the program, you will see several Beverly Sills opera performances. In the space below, record a list of those performances including the title of the opera, her role, and the year. In the last column, write down your impression of the performance. This could include notes about her singing, how it made you feel, what you liked about it, or any questions you have.

Title of the Opera	Beverly Sills' Role	Year	My Impression of the Performance

2. Think about the life skills you discussed earlier. As you watch BEVERLY SILLS: MADE IN AMERICA, pay attention to specific examples of how Sills exhibited each of the life skills listed below. Record them in the space provided.

Life Skill	Beverly Sills demonstrated this by …
Perseverance
Passion for her craft
Belief in the "American Dream"
Positive Attitude
Risk Taking

3. In the program, Beverly Sills says: "Singing is really a very joyful art form" and "I was so enamored of the art form of opera; I can't even explain it. Nothing moves me like music -- nothing." How is this evident in her performances? Give specific examples.





4. Although Beverly Sills was extremely successful, she faced challenges in her personal life. Discuss some of these challenges and how her personality contributed to her ability to overcome them.





5. What role was the turning point in Beverly Sills' career? It made her into an international star and allowed her more choice in the roles she performed. Discuss the aspects of her performance that catapulted her to fame.





6. In her 60 MINUTES interview with Mike Wallace, Beverly Sills said: "I felt that as far as my singing was concerned that the only person I really had to please was me." What does this quote tell you about Sills and her motivation for being an opera singer and performer?





7. Beverly Sills often appeared on popular talk shows and television programs with famous contemporary performers during her career. In what way did this help or hurt the art form?





8. Beverly Sills said: "I think you should try everything. When I look back on my life, I would rather say 'I shouldn't have done that' rather than 'I should have done that.' If I have any regrets, it's that I rather tried to do too much, than I didn't try to do enough."


Is this a good way to approach life? Why?



If more people adopted this outlook, how would it affect our society?



9. At the end of the program, at her last singing performance before retirement, Sills sang the folk song "Tell Me Why." Why do you think she chose it for her farewell performance?





10. Based on what you learned about operatic voices in the activities you completed before watching the program, what qualities and characteristics of a typical soprano does Beverly Sills possess when she performs? Give specific examples.