Scenes from a new children’s opera about Winnie the Pooh and his friends captivated young audiences in December as Opera Wilmington launched its Opera Out & About outreach program. A quartet of UNCW voice students – Emma Fields, Ella Shynett, Johnny Nichols and Kai Williams – demonstrated that opera can be fun and compelling.
Our singers performed interactive portions of Wind, Rain and Tails in two performances at the New Hanover County Main Library as well as a performance for the entire third grade at Mary C. Williams Elementary School. The new work, composed by UNCW faculty member Bettsy Curtis, tells the story of how Eyeore lost his tail and how his friends Pooh, Piglet and Tigger helped him find it. The youngsters at the three inaugural performances had roles to play as well (notably by providing wind by waving colorful ribbons.
Opera Wilmington will stage Wind, Rain and Tails in its entirety in May at Beckwith Recital Hall, inviting children, their teachers and parents to the performance.
Opera Out & About is funded in part by a grant from New Hanover County.