YOUNGSTERS are to be introduced to the world of opera by a team of experts.
English Touring Opera (ETO) is bringing its Bat Dances workshops to schools in York until Friday.
A team made up of a musician, dancer and designer will visit schools for a day's activities based on ETO's production of Die Fledermaus (The Bat) by Johann Strauss.
At the heart of the story is the confusion that arises from the mask disguises worn by characters when they attend a ball in 19th Century Vienna.
The title relates to one character's plot for revenge following a previous costume party when he was abandoned by a friend in the middle of town. Pupils in years five and six will learn songs and dances from the opera before inventing their own, and will design and make masks. The day ends with a performance of the children's ballroom scene.
All the children involved in the workshop will then attend ETO's evening performance of Die Fledermaus to complete their introduction to opera.
ETO education director Tim Yealland said: "This will be a fun day, and a fantastic introduction to opera.
"Die Fledermaus is one of the most accessible operas in the repertoire, with a cast of witty characters and great tunes, so it is ideally suited to young children."
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