Returning to Natchez for the second year in a row, composer Christian McLeer and his cast present his latest children’s opera, House — a science-fiction story about a socially awkward, magical being in the form of a house that travels the universe trying to win friends.
Using an electronic accompaniment with an electronically diffused voice to express feelings and emotions of the main character, House, the 40-minute performance features ragtime music, virtuosic singing and social awareness with important messages throughout for young listeners.
In addition to Composer McLeer, the cast from New York, includes performers Candice Hoyes, Jocelyne O’Toole, Hilerie Klein Rensi, Dan Pettit, and David Schnell, who performed in last year’s production, G Train – The Musical.
Sponsored by the Natchez Festival of Music and Taco Bell, the opera is playing this week at Braden Auditorium at 9:30 and 12:30 each day to K-6 grade students. Next week they go on the road to other towns, such as Hazelhurst, Meadville, Ferriday, and others. It is shown free to as many as 15,000 students.
Bringing musical education to children has been one of the most important and rewarding aspects of the Natchez Festival of Music since its inception. In order to coordinate with the end-of-school schedules and activities, the children’s opera is presented during the last two weeks of April each year.
*Pictured from left: Candice Hoyes as Kristy and Jocelyne O'Toole as Amy perform in the children's opera, House
Photo by Elodie Pritchartt
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