Ashley’s First Opera

This is the story of how a 5-year-old was introduced to opera by her grandmother,  Stephanie Petermeier, who is an opera board member and Chairing our upcoming 20th Anniversary Celebration event in January 2012.

LVO is creating new "opera-tunities" to introduce children and youth to the magical world of opera, from the Ice Cream & Opera Sunday matinees to the new Student Dress Rehearsal Night. We also created OperaLive!, a series of free public outreach performances at libraries and community centers, and a student "poster" art contest, to introduce new fans, of all ages, to opera. Please check our website www.LivermoreValleyOpera.com for details.

Here is Ashley's Story, as told by her grandmother:

It was the spring of 2004. At the tender age of five, Ashley begged me to take her to the opera.  I had taken my grown daughters Kristine and Julie to the opera the previous weekend and she wanted to know what it was all about.

Livermore Valley Opera (LVO) was then performing in the local high school and youth tickets were just $15, so I thought that if we only made it through ½ an opera that would be alright.  I was babysitting her one Saturday night, and I still had my playbill from the performance. We read every inch of it together, except the ending of the synopsis.  She was interested in all parts of this production of Madama Butterfly.

I decided to take her to the final Sunday matinee. We got dressed up for opera together and went to the Livermore High School theater with much anticipation.  Ashley’s eyes were glued to the stage.  I don’t think she moved in her seat at all.  When the First Act was over I asked, “Would you like to go home now?”  She answered, “Is it over?”

At Intermission, it was time to tell her about the tragic ending.  We sat outside eating the cookies, traditionally home-baked by volunteers at the original venue, and discussed what was going to happen next. I explained how none of it was real, but if she wanted to close her eyes, she could.  She was captivated again for the rest of the opera.  When Butterfly reached for the knife in the final act, she turned and buried her head in my shoulder.  I could feel her shuddering, and she remained there until I said, “It’s over,” and she turned back to the stage just in time to see Pinkerton arrive too late to help.

When Ashley returned home, this is how a five-year-old explained the plot to her parents:

"There was a man that told Pinkerton that it was not a real wedding, and told Butterfly that it was, and it was very sad.”

She is now decidedly hooked on opera for a lifetime, and we have enjoyed attending the LVO Sunday matinees as a family, with free ice cream at Intermission for all, and a tour backstage for the kids.