Somersfield School To Present Children’s Opera

The Somersfield Primary department will soon be presenting Harlequin, a children’s opera based on an Italian folktale on Friday, February 21 and Sunday, February 23 at Somersfield Academy.

Harlequin is the story of a little boy by the same name who lives in the small town of Bergamo, Italy, during the period of the Renaissance [14th to 16th centuries]. The story takes place on the day before “Carnival” or “Fat Tuesday”, which marks the last day before lent.

Harlequin is coaxed by his friends to participate in the carnival, but the young boy has no costume to wear and, being the son of a poor widow, he sees no possibility of obtaining one. How Harlequin overcomes his fear of ridicule and learns the importance of self-confidence and friendship is beautifully portrayed in this hour long performance.

This performance is directed by Judy and Sanford Jones, co-founders of Youth Opera International Inc, with Mrs. Janice Pearman performing the Soprano.

Mrs. Pearman, a national of Trinidad and Tobago, began singing at a very young age. She studied at the University of the West Indies in St. Augustine. In 2002, she moved to Bermuda and sang with the Ensemble Singers for various local concerts and their concert in Barbados. In 2010, she was the soprano for the opera Pearl, presented by Somersfield Academy and written by Stanford Jones.

She is currently the Primary Division Music Teacher at Somersfield Academy.

Sanford Jones is the composer of thirteen operas, three song books for children, and music materials for Montessori classrooms. Mr. Jones is an internationally recognized Montessori educator, founder of four schools on the east coast, founding president of the North American Montessori Teacher’s Association and a former executive director of the Association of Montessori Internationale/USA.

He is currently Director of Training at the Coastal Empire Montessori Charter School, a public program in Savannah, GA.

Judy Jones, choreographer, is trained in ballet and has studied with notable dance authorities such as Robert Joffrey and Matt Mattox, as well as at the New York City School of Ballet. She performed on Broadway for over ten years, appearing in a number of musicals, including ‘My Fair Lady’ and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” and the film :The Producers”.

She is a certified movement analyst, having received her training at the Laban/Bartenieff Institute for Movement studies in New York City.

The upcoming performances are the culmination of an intensive one week workshop during which the children have received instruction in singing, dancing, and acting, as well as experiencing firsthand the fine nuances of a classical art form.

For more information, please contact the Somersfield Academy reception office or call 236-9797.

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Category: All, Entertainment