GOOD SHEPHERD SERVICES

Ask a typical pre-teen or teen What does opera mean to you? and you will likely be met with a blank stare. But pose the same question to a group of sixth, seventh and eighth graders at MS 206B, one of Good Shepherd’s Bronx after-school programs, and you will receive some very animated responses and possibly an aria. The reason for this irony is that they have experienced “Opera After-School,” a unique program facilitated by the Chelsea based, Chelsea Opera Company.

For four consecutive weeks beginning in late October, Lynne Hayden-Findlay, Chelsea Opera’s Co-Founder/Co-Producer, and Carmine Aufiero, the company’s Music Director/Conductor, facilitated hour and a half long workshops for a group of fourteen 11-14 year-olds that introduced the youth to the elements of opera and to one opera in particular: Gianni Schicchi, a comedy by Giacomo Puccini, which the students affectionately referred to as “Johnny Squeaky.”

All of the students were given a translated libretto of the opera and assigned a part. Remembering which character they were playing was not an issue since Lynne made placards for them to wear around their necks with a photo of a celebrity and the character’s name underneath. Little did Jennifer Lopez know that she was Lauretta! Each week as Carmine played songs from the opera on the school’s piano, the youth became more familiar with Gianni Schicchi and opera in general and learned about different voice and acting techniques from special guest presenters including the opera’s acting coach and assistant director, and three of the opera’s stars. One highlight was hearing the singers perform in the classroom. Amidst the sound of a basketball game in the gym next door, Lucy Finkel and Valerie Kraft, both of whom played Lauretta at alternate performances, sang “O Mio Babbino Caro.” It is hard to silence a group of middle schoolers, but Lucy and Valerie succeeded. Mouths were agape by the end of the song and one young girl commented, “I want her to do it again like 20 times in a row!”

But perhaps the most memorable part of the workshop series for the youth was actually getting to see the opera performed on Saturday, November 10th. It was thrilling for the students to watch their characters and the show come to life on stage, and after the show, they had the opportunity to meet and have their photo taken with the actors still in costume.

When Lynne and Carmine returned to the school to host a wrap-up session, it was clear that “Opera After-School” had a profound effect upon the students. The project piqued the students’ curiosity, encouraged creativity, exposed them to a new form of music and introduced them to a heretofore unknown man named Giacomo Puccini and his delightful comedy, “Johnny Squeaky.”

November 30, 2007