STUDENTS LEARN OPERA CAN BE FUN

While many arts leaders--and educators--bemoan the lack of music education in the nation’s schools, Orange County-based Opera Pacific has for the past five years sponsored a touring “opera” program for participating intermediate and high schools in the county.

Now, the non-profit opera association is taking its touring educational outreach program one step further: “Fun with Opera,” a 40-minute production of highlights from comic operas is being offered to participating elementary schools as well.

One recent afternoon at South Coast Repertory’s Mainstage theater in Costa Mesa, Opera Pacific presented “Fun with Opera” before 400 schoolchildren, as well as school administrators and teachers. Performed by members of Educational Opera Assn., a Los Angeles-based touring company founded in 1951, the program included excerpts from Mozart’s “The Magic Flute,” and “The Magic of Figaro.”

With production costs running approximately $1,200 “for three performances each day,” Opera Pacific, according to the organization’s publicity materials, underwrites a major portion of “each assembly.” Schools--both public and private-- are charged $150 for the first presentation; $100 for each additional performance.

“Fun With Opera” will be presented at participating schools throughout Orange County from April 8 to May 17. For further information, call Opera Pacific at 241-1600.