Opera Theater to perform "Brundibár," children's opera about hope

Oswego Opera Theater, under the direction of Dr. Juan F. La Manna, a music professor at SUNY Oswego, will present the children's opera "Brundibár" at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 14, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 15, at the Church of the Resurrection, 120 W. Fifth St. in Oswego.

Local students, ranging in age from 7 to 17, will perform the opera. Members of the Oswego Community Youth Orchestra, community musicians and college students will comprise the orchestra.

"Brundibar" is especially important to Oswego because of the city's history as the only safe haven in the United States for Holocaust refugees, organizers said, expecting audiences of all ages to enjoy the opera.

The opera about hope, written in 1938 by Czech composer Hans Krása, was first performed in Prague. But in July 1943, the score was smuggled into the concentration camp in Terezin, where it was re-orchestrated for the available instruments in the camp.

The title character is a villain, a bully who thwarts two children's efforts to earn money so they can help their mother. The opera became popular in the concentration camp, because everyone saw the children having fun, everyone could also see the allegorical meaning of the work and everyone enjoyed the memorable music.

Lyndsie Jones, well known in Central New York in children's theater, will serve as stage director. The vocal coach is Dr. Mihoko Tsutsumi, director of choral music at SUNY Oswego and of the Oswego Youth Conservatory.

A community theater company since its founding in 1979, Oswego Opera Theater has presented more than 50 productions, from classic Italian operas to Broadway musicals.

Tickets are available at Wayne Drug, the River's End Bookstore and at the door. Prices are $15 for adults and $5 for students.