HMS Pinafore cast visits Driffill Elementary

OXNARD, Calif. (KEYT) Some Driffill Elementary School students had a front row seat to their first opera inside Dr. Dufau's classroom.

Their teacher happens to be a member of the Ventura County Gilbert & Sullivan Repertoire Company that is putting on H.M.S. Pinafore at the Theatre on the Hill in Thousand Oaks.

Dr. Kimberley Dufau got emotional talking about the special performance.

"I love my students, I love their families and I wanted them to see what we have been working on, we have been working really hard, and it is great for everyone to be a part of the arts and especially opera." said Dr. Dufau.

The children watched the Gilbert & Sullivan operetta with Oxnard Mayor Luis McArthur who said, like the students, it was his first time to see a live opera performance.

Fifth grader Diego Valero had no problem following the story told through music and song.

"It is about a girl who wanted to get married to poor boy, but then her dad wanted her to get married to a rich boy, said Valero, "but they solved it at the end and then she got married to the poor boy."

"I think it is a very nice way for kids to learn," said fifth grader Sofia Avila.

"I felt is was really good, it was sort of funny," said fourth grader Guadalupe Damian.

Bass-baritone Patrick Blackwell, who is also an L.A. Opera singer, hopes it inspires students.

"Love music and be part of it, if you want to, it is a great art form, opera, operetta, musical theater, it is all a wonderful art form," said Blackwell, "pursue your dreams if this is what you want to do."

For more information about HMS Pinafore that runs through Oct. 18 visit https://hillcrestarts.com

There is a discount night for "starving artist" said Dr. Dufau.

Your News Channel will have more on the opera performance for students this week.