D-E Lower School (LS) students are working hard preparing for the Fifth Grade Opera, with a final performance tomorrow evening! Students collaborated to conceptualize the opera, write the script, and compose the music with the help of Lower School Music Teachers Ms. Lisa Dove and Ms. Fiona Crawford. They also worked on the set designs with LS Art & Design Teacher Ms. Christine Hanaway Maloney.

For her operetta, titled “Heart of Gold,” Arin K. ’32 is not only in the cast, but is also credited as a writer, composer, and musician. She explains that the story has a theme of betrayal and is about a rich person who hands out gold coins to the poor—but isn’t as he seems. “I loved the process,” says Arin of the opera. “Working with my classmates was amazing!” One of these classmates, Alina E. ’32, a production manager, helped paint pieces of scenery known as flats and ran lines with the cast. “There are a lot of moving parts in the production,” says Aliana. “I’m working with everybody, and that’s been great.”

The opera is a longstanding tradition at D-E that gives students a taste of what it’s like to be involved in the performing arts. Livingston M. ’32, who has a solo performance as well as a duet for his operetta, “Lost in the Woods,” says he wanted an acting and singing role to get over his stage fright. After a dress rehearsal in front of 150 of his peers, Livingston says, “I feel a lot more confident… I actually had a lot of fun.” Break a leg, fifth graders!