Cast delightful in youth opera

"NOYE'S FLUDDE," MADELEINE FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES, Cathedral of the Madeleine, Sunday.

Benjamin Britten wrote his musical setting of the medieval miracle play "Noye's Fludde" for children. Not only did he direct his opera toward a young audience, but he also wrote it for a young cast and orchestra.

"Noye's Fludde," a simple and direct version of the story of Noah and the flood, lends itself readily to be performed by youngsters. And except for Noye (Noah), his wife and the voice of God, who are adults, all of the parts are taken by children.

The orchestra, too, with its large string section, recorder ensemble and percussion, consists mainly of young players. Writing for an orchestra that lacks maturity in technique and expression is indeed challenging, but this is where Britten's genius as a composer most fully shines through. What Britten creates musically is an intriguing piece of theater that in its simplistic, stylistic approach gives the ancient story the impetus it needs to be an effective modern stage work. It's an opera that has an immediate appeal to young and old.

The Madeleine Festival of the Arts and Humanities presented Britten's 1958 opera this past weekend at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, in what certainly is the festival's most ambitious project to date. The entire Madeleine Choir School, from kindergarten through eighth grade, took part. They were augmented by members of the Children's Dance Theatre and members of the Sonolumina Chamber Orchestra. Choir school director Gregory Glenn (whose name was inexplicably absent from the printed program) directed.

At Sunday's performance, children and young adults made up a significant part of the overflow audience in the cathedral. What they saw was a delightfully imaginative and creative staging that transformed the cathedral's large altar area into Noah's ark.

Tyler Oliphant as Noye gave a convincingly real performance as the devout believer in God's word, while Aubrey Adams-McMillan as Mrs. Noye was no less compelling as his gossipy wife.

The speaking role of the voice of God was taken by Anne Cullimore Decker and Tony Larimer. Their recorded passages were spoken rhythmically in unison.

But the true stars of this production were the children, who by their sheer numbers and also by their singing and acting talents, quite literally stole the show from the adults. All of the young soloists were impressive, in particular Ryan Tani (Sem), who sings with a sparkling soprano, and Erin Thomas as Mrs. Sem, who sang her part beautifully.

Emeri Fetzer (Raven) and Amy Folsom and Samuel Hanson (Doves), from the Children's Dance Theatre, danced their roles fluidly.

Glenn's commanding direction allowed the action to flow seamlessly. He coaxed a wonderfully lucid and dynamic performance out of his orchestra, showing himself to be quite a self assured conductor and at ease with such a large body of players and singers.

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E-mail: ereichel@desnews.com