Posted on 02/03/2006 12:49:07 PM PST by Boston Republican
BENNETT, Colo. - Some parents in this prairie town are angry with an elementary school music teacher for showing pupils a video about the opera "Faust," whose title character sells his soul to the devil in exchange for being young again.
"Any adult with common sense would not think that video was appropriate for a young person to see. I'm not sure it's appropriate for a high school student," Robby Warner said after two of her children saw the video. Another parent, Casey Goodwin, said, "I think it glorifies Satan in some way."
Tresa Waggoner showed approximately 250 first-, second- and third-graders at Bennett Elementary portions of a 33-year-old series titled "Who's Afraid of Opera" a few weeks ago. The video features the soprano Dame Joan Sutherland and three puppet friends discussing Gounod's "Faust." Waggoner thought it would be a good introduction to opera. Her critics questioned the decision to show children a portrayal of the devil, Mephistopheles, along with a scene showing a man being killed by a sword and a reference to suicide.
School Superintendent George Sauter said the teacher should not have shown the video to children below the fourth grade but will not lose her job. She has sent letter of apology to all elementary school parents in Bennett, population 2,400 and about 25 miles east of Denver on Colorado's eastern plains. "I was definitely not sensitive to the conservative nature of the community, and I've learned that," Waggoner said in Sunday's editions of The Denver Post. "However, from what has been said about me, that I'm a Satan worshipper, my character, I can't believe all of this. My intention was just to expose the kids to opera."
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
And didn't Gretchen have an abortion or something (wasn't that why she was imprisoned?).
Considering most of these kids probably watch a CSI show every other night, if not something worse on cable, I doubt opera is going to mess up their heads.
However, not all media are appropriate for all ages.
It says elementary school. It doesn't say what grade. It's a classic story, but I wouldn't want my young child seeing it. High school would not be a problem, I would think.
"I don't know exactly HOW, but I'm SURE it does in SOME way!"
Sheesh.
It was an educational documentary about opera! And I love the idiot parent who says "I think it glorifies Satan in some way." Gotta love it!
Yet, those same parents listen to "Devil Went Down to Georgia" and let the kiddies watch "Scooby Doo on Zombie Island".
You wouldn't want your child to see an educational documentary about Opera?
Tresa Waggoner showed approximately 250 first-, second- and third-graders
Scooby Doo on Zombie Island
The zombies were real estate developers in masks, right?
You have got to be kidding.. Faust is not appropriate? I would much rather my kids watch Faust than Barney.
Looked it up: Gretchen committed infanticide of her newborn by drowning.
Those folks out in Colorado need to lighten up. Maybe they should have been exposed to opera at an early age.
It says first, second and third graders. Ms. Waggoner was careless in her judgment. It happens. There was no need to call her names over it. A reprimand would be sufficient, or just admonishment to be more thoughtful of tiny minds.
Actually, no. The zombies were indeed real. :^)
Here's the description from Amazon:
"World-famous soprano Joan Sutherland and her magical puppet friends present opera programs designed for the whole family. Presented with fun and humor, designed to make adults and children comfortable with this area of western culture. Spotlights two operas: Faust and Rigoletto"."
Uh, yeah. Sounds dangerous!
An official reprimand for showing young students a video of Joan Sutherland and some muppets talking about opera?
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