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Students experience opera

Second graders from Valdese Elementary School, teacher Donna Powell and Principal Bob Acord pose with the cast of “Jack and the Beanstalk” on Oct. 30 at the Old Rock School following an opera performance.

Staff reports

Published: November 5, 2009

VALDESE - Almost 900 Burke County elementary school children and staff experienced opera theater in two performances of "Jack and the Beanstalk" set to selected music from six Gilbert and Sullivan operettas.
The two performances were performed by Opera Carolina Express, the outreach and education wing of Opera Carolina, on Oct. 30 at the Rock School.
The cast of singers were Jack B. Nimble, sung by tenor Noah Rice, Mrs. Nimble and the Giant's Wife, sung by soprano Krista Wilhelmsen, and the Giant and Trouble Man, sung by bass Byron Barr. Accompanist was James Moyer.
The story of the Giant and Jack was adapted by John Davies to express deception, suspense, trouble and happiness, all typical attributes expressed in the most popular operas.
The music of British composer Sir Arthur Sullivan and the adapted libretto of poet/librettist Sir William Gilbert gave a comical and satirical quality to the action which is characteristic of their humorous operettas.
These performances were supported by the Rock School Arts Foundation, and made possible in part by a grant from the Grassroots Arts Program of the N.C. Arts Council and Burke Arts Council.