Hansel and Gretel...The Opera!

This has been such a busy week with all types of activities. Last weekend we took our granddaughter to see the opera Hansel and Gretel. It was an opera staged especially for children. Elsa was awed and frightened at the same time. She always covers her hears at loud noises and that was a bit of a problem for her. We had a beautiful picnic before the production. There was time to wander around the gardens and fountains. A big bear roamed among the children. Elsa's eyes were big and excited with the awe of it all. Once the production began she enjoyed the theater as well as the show. "Why are they doing that?" "What is that for?" "Look at the lights on the steps!" As the story progressed fear of the woods, the characters she did not understand enveloped her, but she listened as I read the words gently into her ear as the singers sang. Then the angels were on stage and the wonderful animals..."Elsa, look!!!" Too late, she was sound asleep and neither her father nor I could awaken her. When the house lights came on for intermission she awoke with no idea of what she had missed. She loved the second act with the "Candy House." It was a joy to experience Hansel and Gretel with a three year old. My daughter was the Assistant Stage Director, unfortunately she did not get to stay for the run. All of us were so proud of her. Now, Elsa is working on her own opera and she wants me to make all the costumes. I am a costume designer, so this might be fun. Her opera is abut birds. Her father tells me she has been composing the songs. Perhaps, at almost 4 she has found her calling.