Children’s Chorus of Washington presents a production of "The Nightingale" May 3, 2009

This fully-staged production is groundbreaking in that the chorus takes the central role, playing three different parts, each with its own voice and is the first of its kind to be added to the repertoire of performance work for children. Supporting roles include solo parts for baritone, tenor, and dancer, as well as small parts for young treble voices. The objective of this commissioned opera was to give children the focus of the opera genre, engaging them from start to finish in a leading capacity.
Written by renowned Canadian composer Imant Raminsh, the story and text are based on Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved tale, "The Nightingale," with libretto by James Tucker. The Nightingale, set in China, tells of an Emperor who is enchanted by a nightingale’s sweet song, until a bejeweled mechanical version of the bird arrives. Preferring the mechanical imitation, the Emperor banishes the true nightingale, but the little bird remains faithful, returning years later to restore the dying Emperor to health.

Official Website: http://cchorus.homestead.com/