What will the next act be? My children's peace opera had its world premiere last month, the Middle East is rapidly changing, and I ask myself, what will the next act be, for both my music and for the Middle East? My children's opera “The Classroom” envisions a world of peace, a society in which differences of ethnicity or background are not important. What is displayed on stage in my opera are children who sing about their enjoyment of soccer, their anxiety over taking an exam, their disappointment with the lunches that their parents packed them for school, but above all, their desire for friendship. My children's opera “The Classroom” sends a message that the common humanity that connects us is far more important than the differences that separate us. I suspect that as new, more representative governments are formed in Egypt, Tunisia, and elsewhere, the various groups and various interests will come to understand (as they have already) that it is their common humanity that outweighs all other considerations. My children's opera is intended to teach children about peace and tolerance. But there are lessons to be learned from the children of “The Classroom” as well. One of my favorite lines in the opera occurs during the soccer scene. The children, of different backgrounds, are practicing for the big game that evening and they sing: “We'll win if we all work together!” How simple a premise that underlies success on a soccer field and in our societies as well. Of course the humorous scene occurs at lunchtime when the students start trading their lunches (I think this must be a universal activity with children of all cultures). The result is that even young children understand the importance of cooperation. One friend has what another likes, the other has what the first friend wants, they trade and again everyone benefits. At the end of my opera, the children greet a new classmate. The new classmate never really appears on stage. This is because I wish to show that it doesn't matter what the new classmate looks like, what religion or ethnicity the new classmate is, or if the new classmate is a boy or girl. To children it doesn't matter. What is more important is extending the hand of friendship and trust to someone new. And now people in Egypt and elsewhere are asking themselves, what will the next act be? They are learning to extend their hands in friendship and trust to a new and brighter future for themselves and for their children. And I am looking on and extending my hand in faith and compassion that the words and music of “The Classroom” will resonate with children and parents and communities in Egypt, the United States, and many other places. I invite you to visit “The Classroom” at www.theclassroomopera.com or watch the Youtube video of the opening scene BM
