EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 The Youth Opera of El Paso is set to present a new children’s opera, A Note of Explanation, in Downtown El Paso this weekend. <\/p>\n
According to the Youth Opera of El Paso, the opera, described as a royal secret hidden for nearly a century, is about to take center stage on March 6-8 at the Plaza Philanthropy Theatre. <\/p>\n
The production will feature performances by local young talent and is being billed as a cultural milestone for El Paso and the borderland region.<\/p>\n
A Note of Explanation, an original children\u2019s opera by composer Shoshana Yavneh Shattenkirk and lyricist A.J. Freeman, is based on a miniature storybook commissioned in 1922 by Queen Mary for the library of her famed dollhouse.<\/p>\n
The tiny book, described as no larger than a postage stamp, sat unnoticed inside the dollhouse for nearly 100 years. During conservation and restoration efforts in 2017, the story was rediscovered and later published. <\/p>\n
The tale centers on a time-traveling sprite who lives within the walls of the dollhouse.<\/p>\n
Speaking to KFOX14\/CBS4, Sianane Sanchez, one of the performers at the Youth Opera of El Paso said she enjoys the experience of performing with others. <\/p>\n
“Just being here in the opera is just amazing. It’s such a great experience. It’s very beautiful. It’s beautiful being able to be with everybody else. It’s amazing, you get to have a full experience,” Sanchez said. <\/p>\n
The opera\u2019s March run includes four performances across three days. Organizers say the production places El Paso as the first city in the world to fully stage the new work.<\/p>\n
The stage set is being custom-built by David Avila, the theatre set designer at Austin High School.<\/p>\n
Speaking to KFOX14\/CBS4, Leighanne Crandall, assistant professor of theater at West Texas A&M University and costume designer for the opera, said she encourages other young people to join the stage. <\/p>\n
“Don’t be afraid to do it. There’s no rule that because you haven’t done it before, you can’t. Like, everyone has to start somewhere. Everyone starts at the beginning of it. So if you love the stage or if you love to sing, this is a perfect opportunity to come into a safe environment that you get to thrive in, and it is a place in which you can discover what you love,” Crandall said. <\/p>\n
To buy tickets, you can visit the Plaza Theatre Box Office or CLICK HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n RECOMMENDED: <\/a>Downtown Kids Music Day partnership brings \u201cPeter and the Wolf\u201d to El Paso\u2019s Plaza Theatre<\/a><\/p>\n