STRAFFAN, 11 March 2002: by Brian Byrne. Straffan National School pupils are to perform a children's opera in May which is part of a programme by the National Chamber Choir to involve schools in opera.
'The Quest' is the third such opera commissioned by the Choir and was written by Maeve Ingoldsby and Colin Mawby. All the roles are sung and acted by the pupils and there is also a student chorus.
Two 'blanks' in the piece are left for students of the relevant school to create their own music and text.
'The Quest' is set in the Ireland of the High Kings, and the story is about the journey of Caoilte, daughter of High King Lachlann, to find 'magic berries' in the Weeping Wood.
The performance will takae place in the K Club on May 9, when the National Chamber Choir will join the pupils from 4th, 5th and 6th classes for the opera. The pupils are being helped in the project by teachers John Mescal, Jane Brady and Bernie Shinnors.
©2002knn