FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 25, 2015
OPERADELAWARE DELIVERS CHILDREN'S SHOW
TO SUNDAY BREAKFAST MISSION
Company Performs Classic Tale for Mission's Youngest Residents
WILMINGTON, Del. -- For the first time in its 70-year history, OperaDelaware took one of its most engaging children's shows to a young audience at Wilmington's Sunday Breakfast Mission, it was reported today.
General Director Brendan Cooke and Development Director Jason Hardy, along with a four-member cast, carried sets and props through several inches of snow last Saturday afternoon to ensure that all the pieces for "The Three Little Pigs" arrived safe and dry, just in time for a 2 p.m. performance in the mission's multipurpose cafeteria and auditorium. An estimated 30-40 children were able to see the opera company's performance.
"We've been making a concerted effort to bring this production all over the state," said Cooke. "Yet there are children living right here in our neighborhood that we wanted to share this with as well. The children were delighted with the performance, and we hope this is the beginning of a new relationship that brings more of the performing arts to the youngest residents of the mission."
In a twist on the classic, beloved tale of "The Three Little Pigs," the characters discover it's easier to protect themselves from the crafty and dangerous Big Bad Wolf if they are skilled readers. A series of comic twists and turns emphasizes both the value and love of reading, thus engaging young audiences in building their own literacy skills.
"In addition to our traveling production, OperaDelaware partnered with the leadership from the Wilmington Children's Chorus last year to launch the Neighborhood Choir Program at the Warner Elementary School in Wilmington. Thanks to a generous grant from The Arsht-Cannon Fund, the Neighborhood Choir program has expanded to three additional locations this year, as part of the Latin American Community Center After School program. We're not only teaching the valuable skills of discipline, collaboration, and music appreciation, but we're creating the audiences of tomorrow for the arts in Wilmington and beyond."
"The Three Little Pigs" has been performed both at OperaDelaware studios as well as several public and private schools in New Castle County over the past year. Schools and community groups interested in booking a performance should contact Jason Hardy at the e-mail address above.
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OperaDelaware, the nation's 11th oldest professional opera company, celebrates its 70th season in 2014-2015. Our mission is to enrich the lives of people in the Mid-Atlantic region through meaningful arts education and the production of grand opera and intimate opera concerts, featuring established professional and emerging local and regional talent. Upcoming performances include soloist Ben Wager on March 22 at OperaDelaware Studios, and a Spring Opera Festival which will feature adaptations of the operas Lakmé and La tragédie de Carmen. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit www.operade.orgA new collaboration between OperaDelaware and the Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children will bring three of opera's brightest stars to the atrium of the health care facility for performances on Jan. 16, 30, and Mar. 20, it was announced today.