News

Cinderella - Children's Annual Opera in October 2008
Added: 27-May-2008

Opera Theatre of Northern Virginia will produce an opera for a student audience of Cinderella, an abridged version of Rossini’s great classic opera La Cenerentola (pronounced: Lah Che-neh-REN-toh-lah), the Italian title for Cinderella. Performances are scheduled for Sunday, October 26 at 3:00 PM and Saturday, November 1, at 3:00 PM and for school students October 28, 29, and 30 (and maybe October 31) at 10:00 AM.

Download a flyer. Reserve Tickets for the school performances.

A Public Dialogue on The State of Arts Education in Arlington Schools
Added: 27-May-2008

The Guild hosted a forum in Arlington to discuss whether public schools are focusing more and more on core curricula such as English and math which has caused arts education to be squeezed out of the school curriculum.

Carol Erion, supervisor of arts programs in Arlington Public Schools noted that "the arts are discreet, intellectual disciplines that are worth teaching on their own merits.

It was clear that even with a small budget and demands of federal regulations, APS are doing an outstanding job in coping with the "squeeze" of arts education programs. Guild President Miriam Miller express the hope that parents and interested members of the community will take note of what arts programs are being given in the schools. She encouraged parents and community groups to supplement and fill in any perceived gaps.

Hansel and Gretel—
The Opera Different
by Nancy Hall
Added: 27-May-2008

OTNV's recent production of Hansel and Gretel offered a new take on an old story. Creating that difference were Helen Hayes Award-winning director Joe Banno and kids—nine of them. Banno, who partnered with OTNV as director of Cosi Fan Tutte last year, set the opera in the 1950s. Hansel and Gretel (Elaine Dalbo and Katherine Osborne) raced around the stage on scooters, the witch (Sarah Philippa) exchanged her broom for a vacuum cleaner, and the dew fairy (Kathy Hankins) appeared as a hospital grey lady.

The children, ages 6 to 14, were angels, night creatures, and preppy kids sporting blazers. They sang, danced, moved scenery, and cavorted on stage and behind the scrim in grotesque masks.

Judy Richer, who directed the children's chorus, provided a bridge between the zany director and young singers. She claimed that her role in Hansel and Gretel differed from that in previous productions.

In the past Richer mainly directed the children's chorus, leaving staging to the director. But in Hansel and Gretel she collaborated with Banno. In many cases Banno outlined general ideas for staging, while Richer came up with the specifics. For example, Banno wanted the children to dance. Richer visualized a circle dance around Hansel and Gretel, choreographed it, and it worked.

The age span of the children, differences in stage experience, and their multiple roles also posed challenges. "Often I paired young children with older ones, so that kids were coaching and cueing other kids," she says.

Richer was used to hanging out back stage to make sure everything went well. But in Hansel and Gretel her directing job ended once performances began. "I had to work to make myself obsolete, so that the children could work comfortably and independently without me."

The children's resourcefulness was tested when one child was sick and missed a performance. The rest regrouped and carried on.

Promoting cohesion between adults and children was another goal. "In other children's operas there were two casts: the adult cast and the children's cast. I wanted to make those lines disappear," Richer states.

At the first Saturday rehearsal the children brought lunch for everyone-- a great icebreaker that helped adults and children get acquainted. "The cast of Hansel and Gretel became one cast, and all adults were very kind to the children," Richer says.

Maya Ewart, a third-grader at McKinley Elementary School, confirmed that all of the adults were nice, but assistant stage manager Anna Solomon was the kids' favorite. "We called her 'Charlie,' so that we could be "Charlie's Angels," she says.

Thirteen-year-old Anne Lacey, who appeared in OTNV productions of The Nightingale and Los Bohemios, found performing in Hansel and Gretel more fun than the other operas. "There were more kids to play around with, and the adults liked to joke around, too."

William Farmer, a third grader at Claremont Immersion School, had appeared in the Spanish Children's Chorus production of "The Magic Hat". Yet performing in Hansel and Gretel was very different, he claims. "Unlike being in a chorus, this was real—this was the big time. We had more songs to remember, and learning the cues was hard."

Would the children like to sing in a future opera? "Yes, totally yes," Anne answers. The rest of Charlie's angels agree.

Opera and the Dance
Added: 27-May-2008
Opera Theatre cancelled their May 17th production due to unforeseen circumstances.

SunTrust - Our Checking. Your Cause
Looking to open a new checking account? If you open an account at SunTrust Bank, SunTrust will donate $100 to the charity of your choice. (We hope you choose the Opera Guild of Northern Virginia.) Visit SunTrust for more information.

New Guild Website
We have recently updated the Guild's website. We hope you like the new look. If you have any comments or suggestions, email the webmaster Mike Becvar at operaguild@ sirbudproductions.com.