THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 22, 1996 TAG: 9602200073
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JEAN GEDDES, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
A parasol from ``Madam Butterfly'' and huge, brightly colored lollipops used in the children's chorus in ``La Boheme'' brought squeals of delight from the fifth-grade chorus members at Little Creek Elementary School.
These items plus costumes, wigs, masks and stage props from Virginia Opera's traveling trunk show were shown recently to the 33-member chorus in the second of a series of eight programs that comprise the opera docents' Adopt-A-School Program, aimed at increasing students' appreciation of opera.
Little Creek Elementary School was chosen by the docents as their adopted school for this year, and the chorus will be educated for eight weeks in various aspects of the opera. At the end of the program they will be treated to a matinee of ``The Barber of Seville'' as well as a backstage tour of the Harrison Opera House.
The trunk show, presented by docent Julia Stevens, showed the students how an opera is produced. From her traveling trunk, Stevens took architects' drawings of sets, samples of costume materials as well as the costume itself, face and head masks, stage props and wigs. After telling about each opera, Stevens played a recording of highlights from the productions.
The students loved it.
They sat quietly, listening to the music. Then, as they were invited to come and touch the trunk items, they asked questions.
Stevens explained that opera is a ``magical, musical drama encompassing love, hate, humor, death and despair.''
Speaking later about the program, Stevens said that it's difficult to keep an audience's attention when merely talking about opera. However, what makes the trunk show have an impact are the visuals she brings along, as well as the fact that the students are allowed to touch the items.
The impact was clear at the conclusion of the program.
Fifth-grader Rodney Nelson said that he would like to become an opera singer.
Kellie Bauer, another chorus member, said: ``It was so nice of the opera people to come and talk to us. I think I'd like to study music, maybe even go to New York City and do it.''
Candy Leibundguth, a docent who introduces the weekly program to the students, said the docents work closely with Little Creek Elementary teachers Carlotta Bell and Lou Weaver.
Leibundguth also pointed out that the school's principal, Sharon Margulies, has made her own contribution to the program by tape-recording highlights of ``The Barber of Seville'' for each of the participating students to listen to at home.
Stevens said that any group of 15 or more students in the Hampton Roads area is welcome to call the docents' office and arrange for a free trunk show. That number at the Harrison Opera House is 627-9545, Ext. 507. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GARY C. KNAPP
Virginia Opera docents Julia Stevens, left, and Candy Leibundguth
work with fifth-grade chorus members at Little Creek Elementary
School.
by CNB