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January 22, 2010

Children's 'Magic Flute' auditions this weekend

By Cate Lecuyer

BEVERLY — Most people might think twice before combining kids and opera, but that's exactly what Bonnie Rynkowski plans to do.

The founder of the North of Boston Arts Center is holding auditions Sunday for a children's version of "The Magic Flute."

"It's really exciting," she said. "They're ready to jump in full-force."

She launched the center nearly two years ago with an after-school program at the Memorial Building. It focuses on exposing kindergarten through fifth-graders to types of music like classical, jazz and opera, which public school students don't get an abundance of, she said.

"It's another opportunity to expand what they get in the classroom," she said.

Beverly music teacher Adam Costa said the concept sounds great.

"Classical music always (has) a bit of a stigma among kids and teenagers," he said. "If you give them the option between listening to Top 40 or a Gustav Mahler symphony, they're going to choose Top 40."

But the kids in Rynkowski's program are not just appreciative of Mozart and Bach, but are capable of belting out dramatic musical scores.

"It can be pitched down when it needs to be," she said. "But kids are notorious for having high voices. When you give them the opportunity to use those high voices, they relish it."

Traditionally performed in German, the two-hour production is being staged in English and condensed to about one hour to appeal to a younger audience. Yet "The Magic Flute" is a fairy tale, which resonates with kids, anyway.

"There's an angry queen, and a prince rescuing a princess," Rynkowski said. "Right in the beginning there's a snake the Three Ladies in Waiting kill, and the Bird Catcher takes the credit."

Overall, there's room for about 12 to 14 main roles, and all kids are welcome to audition. The production is planned for May.

For more information, visit www.northofbostonartscenter.org.

Staff writer Cate Lecuyer can be reached at clecuyer@salem news.com.

Want to go?

What: Auditions for "The Magic Flute" children's opera, through the North of Boston Arts Center

Where: GAR Hall, 8 Dane St.

When: Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. Walk-ins welcome, but please call 662-228-0033 to confirm an appointment.

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