Introducing Children to the Magic of Opera: Playground Opera Returns
Longborough Festival’s Initiative Aims to Engage Over 1,000 Young Audiences
More than 1,000 children are set to step unto the enchanting world of opera as the Longborough Festival Opera announces its exciting return of the Playground Opera project. This initiative, now thriving in its fourth year, embarks on a mission to engage young minds through musical storytelling, visiting 14 schools across Gloucestershire, Oxford, and Warwickshire from January 17 to February 7, 2025.
This year, the children will be enchanted by the colorful retelling of Donizetti's The Elixir of Love, cleverly titled The Implausible Potions of Dr Dulcamara. The adaptation is specially crafted to resonate with youthful audiences, sparking their imaginations and curiosity.
Directed by Maria Jagusz and led musically by Will Sharma, the talented cast features Katherine McIndoe as Adina, Tobias Campos Santinaque as Nemorino, and Sam Young portraying both Belcore and Dr Dulcamara. Emma Campbell, Longborough’s head of learning and participation, emphasizes the initiative's importance, stating: "Our mission is to break down barriers to opera and bring it to children who may never have encountered it otherwise."
By inviting pupils to engage with music, storytelling, and collaborative spirits, Playground Opera aims to empower children. Campbell expresses pride as she notes, "Playground Opera introduces pupils to the power of music, storytelling, and collaboration, helping to build confidence, spark creativity, and expand horizons. We’re so proud to offer this experience to over 1,000 young people this year." The program will feature hands-on workshops where children will explore the themes of the opera, reflect on their personal choices, and even rewrite parts of the story to make it their own.
The day caps off with the children taking the spotlight alongside the professional cast, delivering performances infused with youthful enthusiasm and creativity. Undoubtedly, this unique experience provides invaluable opportunities for children to appreciate the beauty of opera and music, fostering their love for the performing arts.
Meanwhile, on the musical front of Lima, Ohio, the Lima Symphony Orchestra continues to inspire the younger generation through special events. Their most recent offering, the Mornings with Maestro program held at the Lima Public Library, aims to educate and entertain children about the diverse world of music.
On Saturday morning, Maestro Andrew Crust invited children to discover the fascinating instruments from the Peking Opera Orchestra. Dr. Sarah Waters from Ohio Northern University played an integral role in bringing Chinese musicians to the Lima area, allowing children some exposure to percussion, woodwind, and string instruments traditionally used by the Peking Opera Orchestra.
The event not only featured captivating performances but also hands-on opportunities for kids to try their hand at the instruments. This engaging experience allows children to understand how these unique instruments differ from the ones they may be more familiar with, occurring both under the skilled guidance of the musicians and through interactive play.
After the concert, the Lima Symphony Orchestra also announced plans to perform at local schools, broadening their outreach to educate and instill the joy of music. The pinnacle of this initiative includes a free concert scheduled for Tuesday at 1:30 pm at Presser Hall on the Ohio Northern University campus, proudly open to the public.
Both initiatives reflect the growing recognition of the importance of arts education and the role it plays in shaping our young people's cultural futures. By making operatic experiences accessible and engaging, these programs aim to enrich the lives of children—instilling not just knowledge, but also passion for the arts.
With experiences like Playground Opera and the Lima Symphony Orchestra events, the hope is to kindle lifelong interests, break down misconceptions about art forms, and create valuable memories for young audiences.