Opening ears to opera

BOARDMAN -- Dozens of elementary pupils here were introduced to opera this week in the form of a 5-foot tall, fuzzy-tailed and whiskered rabbit.
The Cleveland Opera on Tour paid a visit to Market Street Elementary on Monday. Three performers and a keyboardist performed an original version of "A Tale of Peter Rabbit."
The performance is meant to be entertaining and conveys a message. Mother Rabbit cautions her children, including Peter, of the dangers of entering Mr. McGregor's garden. Most of the children obey, but Peter does not and almost pays a high price for his disobedience.
Dean Wilson, music teacher in Boardman schools, said the performance was designed specifically to appeal to a younger audience -- a first introduction to opera.
Wilson said the performance is effective in getting students to appreciate opera because it is a familiar and likable story, and the performance is interactive. Two pupils were selected to play two roles and lead pupils in the singing of a song. The audience is also asked to advise the characters.
"Typically it is thought that opera does not have a lot of appeal to children, so [Cleveland Opera on Tour] tried to bring it down to [pupils'] level and they have done a really good job," said Wilson.
In the end, Wilson said, the hope is that the young pupils will jump at the chance to see an opera the next time they have the opportunity. He said there was enough enthusiasm from the young audience to suggest they may look forward to the next performance.