Opera Parallele casts some third graders
A bright new opera designed for children is about to make its debut this weekend in San Francisco.
“Xochitl and the Flowers,” by Opera Parallèle resident composer Chris Pratorius, will receive three free performances, Nov. 17 and 19 at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts.
The opera is part of Parallèle’s innovative Hands-on-Opera program, which presents a new work designed for families and children each year.
“It’s a great program,” says Pratorius, whose earlier operas, “Amazing Grace” and “My Head Is Full of Colors,” were produced in past Handson-Opera seasons. “One of the points of the program is to create operas kids can attend – and also participate in.”
“Xochitl (pronounced So-tcheel) and the Flowers” is a quintessential American immigration story. Adapted from Jorge Argueta’s children’s book of the same name, with a libretto by Roma Olvera, the opera tells the story of a Latin American family that has always made its living growing flowers. When the title character, her mother and other family members come north to settle in San Francisco, they’re determined to put down fresh roots while preserving the traditions of their homeland.
Pratorius says the story was inspired by a real woman who turned an abandoned lot in the Mission District into a thriving garden. “It’s about dreams and aspirations, trying to grow something beautiful,” he said.
Based in Santa Cruz, Pratorius teaches music at UC Santa Cruz and Cal State Monterey Bay. He’s written large orchestral works as well as pieces for solo voice, chamber ensemble and electronic media. The San Jose Chamber Orchestra premiered his “Claroscuro en Flor” in 2013.
His score for “Xochitl” blends traditional Latin rhythms with newer forms including cumbia and reggaeton. “The style is very lyrical, the melodies very singable,” he said. “It’s accessible for kids, but I think adults will enjoy it, too.”
Under artistic director Nicole Paiement, Opera Parallèle continues to expand its outreach programs – and help foster the next generation of opera lovers. “Xochitl” was developed during an eight-week residency, with company professionals working with third-grade students of the Alvarado Elementary School Spanish Immersion Program in San Francisco. In addition to Pratorius, the creative team includes conductor Lucik Aprahamian, stage director Brendan Hartnett, and designer Rachael Heiman. The cast features sopranos Sabrina RomeroWilson (Xochitl) and Yemonja Stanley (Mami), tenor Andres Ramirez (Papi) and baritone Bradley Kynard (Abuelo/Don Roberto.) The children sing the roles of chorus and townspeople.
Hands-on-Opera has been successful in developing operas that can be presented in a variety of educational settings. “They’re meant to be short, flexible, engaging pieces,” says Pratorius.
The kids get a firm foundation in opera – and
over three productions, Pratorius has, too.
“It’s been amazing,” he says. “Parallèle has a complete commitment to new works. The collaborative process happens from the very beginning. There’s a constant dialogue between the composer and the production team. This team understands so much about how a piece is going to look and feel and move in real time.
“Most composers don’t get that kind of experience until they’ve written a lot for opera. My sense of pacing, how scenes work, how to use music to develop characters, has grown immensely. It’s been an incredible journey, and I think all of us have learned a lot.”
Details: “Xochitl and the Flowers,” 6 p.m. Nov. 17; 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Nov. 19, Mission Cultural Center, 2868 Mission St., San Francisco; free admission, reservations recommended. www.operaparallele.org.
A RARE TOP BILLING: The San Francisco Opera Chorus plays an essential role in nearly every production at the War Memorial Opera House, but hardly ever gets top billing. That’ll change this weekend, when this remarkable ensemble under chorus director Ian Robertson takes center stage in a special concert. “Out of the Shadows” features a wide-ranging program that includes works by Berlioz, Brahms and Janacek; “Ave Marias” by Biebl, Arvo Part and Stravinsky; and a handful of spirituals arranged by Moses Hogan and Barbara W. Baker. Details: 7 p.m. Nov. 19, Taube Atrium Theater, Veterans Building, S.F.; $30; 415-8643330; www.sfopera.com.