Family Friendly Opera???? Yes - put on by families
Mar 20th, 2010 by Laura
The North Cambridge Opera Company will be performing its annual Opera the next two weekends, March 20, 21, 27 & 28. The Family Opera is an incredible, unique organization that brings family members together, from ages 5 - 80 to perform Opera style shows - as in story telling with music, not unapproachable music. Creative costumes, beautiful, catchy music and rich stories come together in a show that can be enjoyed by nearly all ages. My 3 year old daughter was able to sit through most (some breaks for running through the halls of the school) and my then 7 year old son was memorized. It is powerful and inspiring for kids to see other children up on stage singing in the show. Based on last year’s show, the music is fun. We still occasionally sing the chorus from last year’s opera The Weaver’s Wedding (Cheena, cheena, churu - probably totally off but you get the idea :) I have good luck with my kids enjoying performances by letting them have breaks if they need them, and quietly narrating the story to them to help them follow along.
This year’s Opera, Springtime for Haman, is based on the Biblical story of Esther. A synopsis of the story can be found on the Family Opera website as well as information on purchasing tickets, but I have include a quick blurb below from their newsletter:
“This sensitive and entertaining opera based on the biblical story of Esther features rich, lyrical music in a variety of popular and classical styles. Two 50-minute acts performed by an inter-generational cast in English with side titles.”
Springtime for Haman
Music and Libretto by Cambridge Composer David Bass
Saturday March 20 & 278th 2:30 & 7 pm
Sunday March 21 and 28 1:30 & 6 pm*
*Pizza available at intermission of the Sunday 6 pm show
The Peabody School, 70 Ringe Avenue, North Cambridge, MA
Tickets: $5 children, $10adults
24-hr ticket hotline 1.800.838.3006
Tickets also available at the door or at www.FamilyOpera.org
For group rates, email Tickets10@FamilyOpera.org
*Saw it last weekend. Really fun. My son loved it. What a treat to see a live performance for less than it would cost to see a movie. Definitely has humor (some of which I had to explain to my son.) And some really talented and brave kids (and adults.) Some of the singing is a more operatic style, which your child may not be used to, but much is chorus style, fun and catchy. I didn’t think much about it being a biblical story and forgot themes of revenge, power, etc. but it was a good opportunity to talk about tough topics with my 8 year old. Again, it is helpful that they project the words on the side of the screen to help all follow along. And I forgot they put mats on the floor in front of the stage for kids (or parents) to lie down and get a good up close look of the action.
