Yesterday afternoon, me and Jemima headed excitedly to St Georges Church in Edgbaston. We were going to a show by B’Opera and could not wait.
If you follow me, you will be used to me sharing bits about B’Opera and I know from many of you, that you have attended some of the relaxed concerts and sessions at the Hippodrome and I am pretty positive that you will agree with me, that the concept of Opera music and young children (with parents) is such a fantastic idea by B’Opera.
The way that the children are mesmerised by Zoe and Jac when they sing, is just magnificent to watch. They manage to keep the attention of tiny children – which is no easy feat. But even if your child wants a wander, to go and explore, even to have a little cry, they can do. B’Opera is relaxed, the idea is to let little children be themselves, whilst filling them with the joys of classical opera including the likes of Schumann and Tchaikovsky.
We have been heading to B’Opera sessions for close to 2 years now. Jemima was 1 when we first attended and she is now 3. I think that shows just how good these sessions are.
The sessions are great for tiny babies, right up to preschool children and when the shows land on none school days, Matilda my 6 year old comes along and thoroughly enjoys them too.
Yesterday was B’Operas ‘A Winters Tale’. Which Jemima gave a thumbs up to.
The story concentrates on Grandma Jac, who has forgotten her stories and the audience are invited along on a 40 minute journey to help her to remember them.
With songs around a campfire that is built by the children with different fabrics, materials and textures, a ride on our pretend horses as we galloped to start our cold, stormy journey wrapped up in warm cosy blankets that were handed out and then we got to enjoy dancing like snowflakes with beautiful white, sparkly, lacy material, to music from The Nutcracker in front of the biggest Christmas Tree ‘that you ever did see’.
All of this whilst following the story of Grandma Jac and her heart warming memories of the past.
We heard an Urdu lullaby sung so beautifully, music from Schumann, Dvorak, Mozart and Tchaikovsky, along with childhood classics like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Children and adults were able to sing along if they wanted, children and babies could choose instruments to join in with songs too. Zoe and Jac* had us all singing a perpetual canon (a round) which sounded fantastic.
*Phil makes up the third part of B’Opera and he plays the piano/keyboard alongside some of the vocals.
We really enjoyed the show and once again, drove home singing along to some of the songs we learnt. Smiling from ear to ear.
B’Opera isn’t just for the children, it is just as much for the adults.
If you haven’t been before. I highly recommend the next B’Opera relaxed concert on December 20th. Christmas songs, mince pies and I am sure I heard a singing Santa will be along too. For more details check out the B’opera website.
Disclaimer : We were kindly invited along to review the performance. All thoughts and opinions are entirely our own.