IRVINE : This Mozart Has Strings Attached
Elementary school students from across the county were treated Friday to a special preview performance of “The Magic Flute” by the Salzburg Marionette Theatre.
The performance of the Mozart classic--starring 18-inch-high, intricately carved wooden puppets--followed a classroom lesson the students received on operatic music and marionette theater provided by the Orange County Philharmonic Society’s Women’s Committees.
The Salzburg Marionette Theatre gave the special performance for the 1,500 children in fourth through sixth grades at the Irvine Barclay Theatre before its sold-out evening public performances.
The 75-year-old marionette troupe is known for creating remarkably lifelike movements in the elaborately costumed puppets, which are manipulated by strings from above the stage.
The marionette troupe will perform “Le Nozze di Figaro” today and “Don Giovanni” on Sunday at the Barclay.
The Orange County Philharmonic Society offers 13 separate educational outreach programs yearly, reaching 300,000 youngsters. The society’s women’s committees work together to add to the musical education of county children. Friday’s performance was also sponsored by the women’s committees and the city of Irvine.
After the performance, students were allowed backstage while marionette artists demonstrated how to move the characters.
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