Carlton Bolling pupils get opera lesson

3:56am Wednesday 14th May 2008

Pupils hit the right note when they shared a stage with members of one of the country's top opera companies.

Teenagers at Carlton Bolling College in Undercliffe, Bradford, received a special behind-the-scenes glimpse of Opera North's latest production during a day of workshops which also unearthed previously hidden musical talent.

Opera North is in the middle of touring its spring 2008 production - a dramatic re-staging of Verdi's Macbeth.

Paul Glover, head of drama, said: "The pupils don't usually get the chance to experience an art-form like opera but when you give them the chance they really respond to it!"

Year 9 students were given the chance to act out many of the scenes in the production as well as sing their own versions of some of the production's famous arias.

Kaseem Khan, 13, played Macbeth for the day. He said: "It has been different - as Macbeth I have to kill everyone and I don't usually kill that many people during a normal school day! I have done a lot of singing but we all sing in school anyway."

Shairaz Ilyas, 14, played Banquo. He said: "It has been really exciting. We have all enjoyed the singing - it has been completely different to how I thought it would be."

After reading and now performing some of the key scenes from the play and the opera, the Carlton Bolling youngsters are looking forward to seeing the professional production at Leeds Grand Theatre next Wednesday.

College music co-ordinator Fran Regan said: "The workshops make the opera easier to understand so that when they see the real thing they can recognise the songs and understand the story.

"At first when they heard the opera singers they were quite shocked but then they got used to it and started singing themselves. They have got a lot from working with arts professionals."

Opera North director Sarah Tipple, soprano Jessica Summers and pianist William Carslake were on hand to guide the pupils through the production.

Miss Tipple said: "We have focused on sections which are dramatic and interesting from a design, drama and directing point of view.

"Opera North has got a very strong education programme. Taking part in the opera workshops and watching the professional production is a lot more liberating than many of the young people expect it to be."

e-mail: dan.webber @telegraphandargus.co.uk

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