BY ALISON PARIS
We would like to welcome Alison in her first story as a CutCommon contributor.
Are those bubbles onstage?
It’s highly likely. Since arriving on the music scene in 2014, Melbourne’s Inventi Ensemble has had an exciting, playful, and diverse career in chamber music across Australia.
Now, its artistic directors Ben Opie (oboe) and Melissa Doecke (flute) are passionate about introducing classical music to the next generation.
We spoke to Ben and Melissa about their upcoming performance of Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, and their ambition to inspire young children through interactive storytelling and great music.
The Inventi Ensemble hosts regular interactive performances and workshops for young children. What motivates you to prioritise sharing music with young children?
Ben: I think it’s the memory that we have of our own experiences as young children with music. It can be so powerful and effective in a child’s learning.
Melissa: It’s so important to inspire a love of music in children at a young age, as this then follows throughout their life.
What do you think it is about Peter and the Wolf that captures young audiences?
B: It’s a great story! And Prokofiev’s music of course is not only familiar these days, but it’s so well crafted.
M: The story underpins the whole piece and is such a great tale. Prokofiev has added to this with wonderfully evocative music, so together it’s an unbeatable package!
Interactive elements – such as playing alongside the performers, actions, and even making instruments – are a huge part of Inventi’s performances with children. How are these elements important in children’s developing relationship with music?
B: For me, it comes back to creating an experience that is memorable. I think the most memorable music experiences come back to quality. It has to be really well performed, which is a priority for us.
But then to offer something that kids can walk away with – be it an instrument, or an object as well as a tune in their head – it means that in the days and weeks following, there’ll be little reminders. We really like to reinforce that music is everywhere; it could be turning a cardboard roll and dry pasta into shakers, or singing a song, or getting crafty with objects around the house.
M: Interactive elements bring home the experience for children in a very practical way. It’s something they can take with them as a tangible memory of the day, and relive the experience again at home.
You’ve arranged and performed major works such as Peter and the Wolf and The Carnival of the Animals to great acclaim. Do you have in mind any other pieces you’d like to reinvent for a young audience?
B/M: We sure do! Inventi loves coming up with new and exciting ways to connect with young children. We have a few secret projects in the pipeline, so keep an eye out for the next one!
What do you hope your young audience will take away from this experience?
B: I think for some, it will be learning about instruments they perhaps haven’t seen before. For others, learning a little about Prokofiev and what his music is like. I really hope everyone just has a lot of fun, too!
M: We hope they take away a fired-up imagination full of new stories, music, and a fabulous piece of craft to remind them of their experience!
Inventi plays Peter and the Wolf at the Kew Court House, 11am July 12.
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Images supplied. Inventi captured by Agatha Yim.
