In this Capital Region Close Up, a new opera sets out to redefine the words "Superpower" and "Superhero." Members of Opera Saratoga are singing the message to students in 50 schools.  Karen Tararache reports.

LANSINGBURGH, N. Y. -- At Turnpike Elementary School, students are learning more than just how to read and write.

"'Do you want to activate your superpowers?' When we do a question and answer session the question we always get is are superpowers real," Garrett Obrycki said, an "Operation Superpower" Opera Saratoga singer.

The answer is 'yes, superpowers, are in fact, real' and each one of them is a superhero.

"If you have courage and stand up for someone in the hallway, you're a superhero," Obrycki said.

The message being spread is one we've heard time and time again, "The only defense I had was my voice." 

It's just being told in a different way.

"It teaches the kids that are being bullied that, that's not ok to do that and it's also teaching the kids that are bullying that these are people and they have feelings," Kelsey Robertson explained, another "Operation Superpower" Opera Saratoga singer.

Written by four Julliard graduates, "Operation Superpower," will be performed by these Opera Saratoga members in 50 of our regions schools. 

In order to achieve superhero status, every child must have:

"The five elements start with courage, hope, honesty, imagination, and friendship and these are by no means the only important kind of virtues we're putting forward," Nicholas Boragno said, another "Operation Superpower" Opera Saratoga singer.

Proving that if we pay close enough attention, then we won't need a mask and cape to come to each others rescue.

Obrycki added, "Take whatever you're good at and make that your focus. Keep on working on your superpowers, they're always changing and you can always find new superpowers."

For more information on Opera Saratoga, click here.

There will also be public performances of "Operation Superpower":

Saturday, March 5, 2016 @ 11:00am

Crandall Public Library

251 Glen Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801

Saturday, March 5, 2016 @ 2:30pm

Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library

475 Moe Rd., Clifton Park, NY 12065 

Saturday, March 12, 2016 @ 10:00am

Saratoga Springs Public Library

49 Henry Street

Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Saturday, March 19, 2016 @ 2:00pm

The Huxley Theater First Floor - New York State Museum

222 Madison Avenue Albany, NY 12230