Search - Nicolas Flagello, Jonathan Strasser, Manhattan School of Music Preperatory Division Opera :: Flagello: The Piper of Hamelin

Children's theater people take note!

F. Behrens | Keene, NH USA | 09/04/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It is difficult for us adults to judge how effective a children's show will be. First of all, they come in two types: those designed for children but featuring adults and those featuring children. In the first case , the quality of the music does not have to be down-market, so to speak, as in "Hansel und Gretel," which is quite approachable on any age-level. In the second case, the composer has to tread lightly. Nicolas Flagello's never quite rises to the level of Humperdinck at his best, but it is quite acceptable on its own terms, and most of the score is sung by Grownups. As performed "live" on a Newport Classic release (NCD 60153), it has convinced me that every person involved in juvenile dramatics should have a copy. The narration of Bob McGrath is the spoonful of sugar that makes the opera go down along with the personable voice of Brace Negron's Piper. The story is the familiar one but the ending has been changed so as not to upset the Tiny Tots; but I fear the metaphysics of the new ending might be a bit above their heads: the Piper reveals himself as the Spirit of Music! This works when Nicklausse in "Tales of Hoffmann" is so transformed, but here it seems a bit unnecessary and might prove confusing to the target audience. Still, we do what we can when it comes to Children's Theater. At moments there is a lot going on onstage, but we only hear the clumping and scenery being moved. However the enclosed libretto is quite liberal in letting us know what is going on (and is the Triumphal March in "Aida" really that less effective on a sound recording as long as it is well played?). Jonathan Strasser conducts the Manhattan School of Music Preparatory Division Opera Orchestra and the Cynthia Auerbach Children's Opera Theater, and the huge cast (they are all named in the booklet) is well drilled and lively."