THE KING WHO
WOULDN'T SING
An Original Children's Opera

This uplifting and entertaining
children's opera was performed
to near capacity audiences.

Location

SURREY ARTS CENTRE: Mainstage
88th & King George Highway
Surrey, BC

DATES: July 4 through 8, 2007

CAST
King: Dan Christie
Jester: Michael Broder
Aryanna: Katherine Dela Cruz
Theodore: Frankie Cena
Amelia: Baillie Vickers
Whatif: Ed Milaney
Yeahbut: Patti Palm
Mother: Adrienne Joiner
Mayor: Jason Harder
Mayor's Wife: Juliana Truesdell

NON PERFORMING ROLES

Composer, Music Director & Conductor: George Austin
Artistic Director, Lighting Design & Librettist: Patricia Dahlquist
Co-Writer & Composer: Juliana Truesdell
Choreographers: Tracy Dekker & Rori Bruschinsky
Costume Design: Melanie Minty

THE STORY OF: The King Who Wouldn’t Sing

In a village far, far away, free spirited Aryana is waking up the village with her sweet voice. Villagers and their children join in the salute to the beauty of the day and their happy lives. In his castle the king is grumbling about all the noise. His jester humors him out of his complaint and convinces the King that he should attend the next day’s music festival.

As the festival begins the King and Jester arrive. An announcement is made that someone will be chosen to be “in attendance” at the castle. When Theodore sings, the King leaves. The villagers wonder what this means. We learn that Theo has won the commission to visit the King.

At the castle Theo learns that he is to teach the king to sing, but the King resists and the lesson ends in failure. Theo is dismissed and is unhappy. Aryana comes to the King’s window to soothe and encourage him. He takes out his rage and frustration on her and banishes her to the cave of silence.

The first half of the opera ends in a ceremonial march with Aryana confined in a gilded cage. Aryana is locked away with two formidable Monster guards, Yehbut and Whatif.

The 2nd half curtain opens on Yehbut, a killer rabbit (who has never killed anything) and Whatif, a dragon (who is afraid to breathe fire) regaling Aryana with the advantages of being in the protected world of the Cave. Aryana sings of the love of the open sky and nature but succumbs to her situation.

Meanwhile, the village is in distress. Gang fights have erupted, stealing and disrespect are rampant, everything looks dirty and Rap rhythms emanate from doorways. Theo and Amelia secretly agree that they must go and plead with King. The brave Duo goes to the castle to present their case but to no avail. They are sent away.

Jester suggests that he and King should disguise themselves and go to the village. In the meantime Theo vows to free Aryana, a plan doomed to failure. When King sees the town and the devastation created by the lack of music he realizes his mistake and the opera ends jubilantly.

Workshops & Community Outreach

In keeping with our mandate to serve the community and raise awareness of opera in Surrey, Young People's Opera Society performs at community events through ut the City.

Music Reading Workshops

In September 2007, George Austin lead a series of "Music Reading" workshops for young choir members. The purpose of the workshops was to train our young singers to sight read notes rather than rely on learning by ear. The Arts Council of Surrey co-sponsored the program.

December Fun Concert
The Young People's Opera Society presented music from Mozart to Enya; some familiar carols and some not so familiar; a Christmas sing-along and a real opera chorus. The event took place at St. Cuthbert Anglican Church hall on December 16th, 2007.

Choir Performs at Guildford
YPOS helped the Surrey Public Libraries celebrate their 25th anniversary on March 15, 2008 at Guildford Library. George Austin and the chorus led off the afternoon proceedings with an original bilingual arrangement of O Canada that was much enjoyed by the audience. Earlier George demonstrated how the group rehearses with a piece from Spirit Moon, and Dodi sang Rose's lullabye.

 

On April 21,2007 children from the YPO, under the direction of George Austin, gathered with other Surrey choral groups to entertain audiences at the Surrey Alliance Church.