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Elementary students get taste of opera (Video)

Carolina Astrain
  • Carolina Astrain •
  • Originally published November 28, 2012 at 7:09 p.m., updated November 29, 2012 at 8:28 a.m.

Giggles filled the auditorium, as opera singer Haley Stage wiggled her finger back and forth, 70s disco-style, during a production of "Hansel and Gretel."

In an elegant long-sleeve, black velvet dress, Jolin Acosta, 8, smiled brightly from her third-row seat.

"My mom thought it would be a good idea for me to dress fancy," said the third-grader, in her Sunday best.

"I like to listen to the opera on the radio before I go to sleep," Jolin said. "This is my first time seeing one."

The Houston Grand Opera brought six performances of "Hansel and Gretel" on Tuesday and Wednesday to Victoria students as part of Opera to Go!, an initiative to bring opera to public schools.

The Texas Commission received a $4,500 grant from the Target Foundation for 45-minute performances for elementary school students in Victoria and Bolivar Peninsula, near Galveston.

About 500 students attended each show at the Victoria Arts Center.

"It's always good to get a little bit of culture in for the kiddos," said Randy Wachtel, building manager, as he conducted school bus traffic between shows.

As he wrangled his way back to the bus, bound to a green walker, Tristan Raab, 10 and classmate Marty Valdez, 10, reflected on the performance.

"It was good," said Tristan, while propping himself up in his walker. "I liked the part when they pretended to eat the fake food."

Marty agreed, "They made it look so realistic."

The center's secretary Brandy Hill said she was impressed by some of the formal wear the students arrived in.

"Some of them were in sequins and heels," Hill said. "It's great seeing them dressed up."

The Brothers Grimm story of the impoverished German siblings who find themselves in a witch's trap was a familiar one for Jolin.

Her grandfather, who died from cancer, gave her a "Hansel and Gretel" storybook.

While watching the first act of the show, Jolin chewed her anxiety away, on the creamed-colored sash wrapped around her waist.

She gasped as a loud baritone opera singer galloped onto the stage at the start of the second act.

Heath Martin, playing the role of Hansel and Gretel's father, rolled out a cheery, comical introductory song.

"He sounds like the guy from 'Shrek,'" Jolin whispered to a neighbor. "I know I've seen him in a television show somewhere."

The show remained true to the original story, with the exception of few alterations for the stage.

After the final act when the witch is cleverly thrown into the oven by Gretel, the opera singers conducted a Q&A for inquiring attendees.

"It's great bringing these shows to the kids that don't make it downtown," said touring stage manager Julie Hurley. "Our mission is to make opera less scary for children."

A long braid whipped across Jolin's shoulder as she turned to leave the theater, joining her classmates on the ride back to school.