Opera Brava

08 May 2013

Girls in Years 3, 4 and 8 at Farlington School, outside Horsham, rehearsed and staged an opera from scratch last week. Guided by the professional opera company, Opera Brava, the girls worked hard towards the final performance on 26th April of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

Taken out usual lessons for the week, the girls became involved in every aspect of staging the production. From making costumes and props to performing solos, there was a part for everyone. It was a fun, energetic week with the girls from different years working well together.

Just like the magical and timeless story of ‘The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe’, every girl goes on her own mini-epic adventure over the week. Initially, the girls were self-conscious, inhibited and sceptical of opera. They were thrust into working and rehearsing with adults and other girls that they didn’t know well. By the end of the week, the girls had bonded to form a very solid opera company that worked well together. There was a real spirit of mutual co-operation and encouragement, they each found their own hidden talents to sing, dance, act, paint, create and had the imagination to make believe. They have made new friends, lost their inhibitions and grown in confidence from the experience. “This is the wonder of Opera Brava!” commented Anne Stearns, Director of Music.