THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, May 14, 1996 TAG: 9605140035
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TERESA ANNAS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 123 lines
WOLVES, SHEEP, camels and lions gathered in the church hall, making their respective animal sounds as they frolicked in color-coordinated sweat suits.
The stage manager bade them sit and listen, as she warned the costumed youngsters to ``be real careful with those headdresses. They have to last a whole week!''
A child dressed as a kitty raised her hand to ask a question. ``Yes, Cat No. 1!''
This made bass-baritone vocalist Bob Randolph laugh. ``Cat No. 1. This is almost like a production of `Cats.' ''
Randolph is one of few adults in this opera-in-the-works, a production of the 1958 Benjamin Britten opera, ``Noye's Fludde.'' The 50-minute work is based on a 16th century play about the Old Testament tale of Noah, who heeded God's advice to build an ark to save his family and some creatures from a great flood.
More than 100 adults and children spent four months rehearsing this show, to be presented at Christ & St. Luke's Church from Thursday through Saturday. Proceeds will benefit Tidewater Humane Inc., which co-produced the event with Cantata Chorus.
Connie Wallaert, president of Tidewater Humane, which arranges reduced rates for neutering and spaying pets, thought the opera was a good fit with her organization. ``It's about stewardship of animals,'' she said.
As soon as stage manager Margaret Felts finished huddling with the animal chorus, the critters were up and prowling.
``I'm a birdie,'' chirped Jessica Thurmond, 9, of Norfolk. ``I'm part of the chorus.'' Whimsical dark eyes peeked out from beneath a satiny headdress.
She took a stab at describing Britten's sophisticated score.
``Well, it's very exciting,'' she began. ``When the storm comes, you get scared. And when the sun comes out, you get happy. So, there are mixed emotions.''
This is the second opera for Charlotte Clark, 10, of Norfolk. She had the title role in ``Persephone'' for a Ghent Montessori School production in July. Here, she plays a wolf.
``I had a choice of three animals, and I didn't want to be an orangutan,'' she said matter of factly. ``This opera is easier for me, because I don't have a solo. But the music is kind of harder.''
Britten's critically acclaimed music is far from typical for such a family-oriented show. In 1974, two years before the English composer's death, critic Andrew Porter wrote that ``the beauty and innocence of childhood have long attracted Britten, who has written the finest children's music of our day.''
``It's not a standard opera,'' said Randolph, a Virginia Opera veteran. ``The music is fragmented. And it's so fragmented, you sometimes wonder, `Where am I now?' ''
Enter God, stage left. ``Isn't this a zoo!'' blurted Bob Burchette, an area actor who plays The Big Guy. ``No pun intended.''
At this rehearsal, God was complaining. His tongue appeared to be firmly in his cheek, but who could be sure with such a mysterious fellow?
``You know how they get you into these things? I mean, what actor could turn down a chance to be God?''
His old theater pal Pat Bernick, director for this production, asked him to do it.
``She told me I wouldn't have to memorize lines. That it was a piece of cake. Maybe a couple of rehearsals,'' he said.
His eyes widened in wrath as he said: ``OK. This is my seventh rehearsal. And, five or six more to go. The music has been very difficult. And I don't read music. So that was her second lie. And her third one? She said I wouldn't have to be in full view of the audience.''
As of last week, God was scheduled to bellow profoundly from a 12-foot-high scaffold. Then, during the half hour or so until God spake again, Burchette would have to make himself comfortable on his high plateau.
Rehearsals for ``Noye's Fludde'' have been in progress since January, said Bernick, who has wanted to produce the piece for many years. She is collaborating with Allen Shaffer, Cantata Chorus' conductor and music director for this show.
The children have rehearsed with them every Sunday afternoon for four months. Shaffer has raced all over town, meeting with the myriad music ensembles.
The involvement is enormous. Besides the 40-member animal chorus, mostly members of the Old Dominion University Children's Chorus, performers include:
Six youth solo vocalists
Eleven string players from the Bay Youth Orchestra
Six high school percussionists
Four high school trumpeters
Four recorder players
Four handbell players
A string quintet
Two pianists
One organist
One timpanist
Two professional opera singers - Randolph as Noah and New York City Opera veteran Sondra Gelb as Mrs. Noah
Popular area actor Burchette, as God.
Six dancers
``We have more people involved in this than any production the opera has done,'' Shaffer said. ``And the kids are getting kind of crazy. It's the end of the school year and getting close to production. They're getting kind of wild.''
The night was shaping up to be ``a real zoo,'' said Bernick, a serious student of such ``chancel dramas'' - plays intended to be performed in church.
``It's the idea that drama itself is a religious experience,'' she said. Such plays have their roots in medieval-era church theater intended to bring Bible stories to life for a largely illiterate society.
``The idea was to move the message out to the people,'' Bernick said. ``And `Noye's Fludde' is doing the same thing - moving the message out to the people.''
Britten's desire was to mix amateur and professional talent, and to get the congregation to sing along, too. So, all the voices join at play's end:
In reason's ear they all rejoice,
And utter forth a glorious voice;
For ever singing as they shine,
`The hand that made us is Divine.' Amen. ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo by Gary C. Knapp
In "Noye's Fluddo," Bob Randolph is Noah, Sondra Gelb plays his
wife, and Bob Burchette (on scaffold) is God.
by CNB