LMK French Students Attend Gounod’s Opera Faust

Students from Louis M. Klein Middle School’s French 8 class had the unique opportunity to attend a performance of French composer Charles Gounod’s opera Faust at the Taconic Opera.

LMK French teacher Ariel Mankes had her students study this 19th century work in class to truly understand the meaning and emotions of what was to be performed. “The story of Faust follows an old man who sells his soul to the devil for a second chance at youth and love,” she said. “He convinces a beautiful young woman to fall in love with him, but things so very wrong. It is a classic tale to be careful what you wish for.”

The feedback of the experience from students was overwhelmingly positive. As LMK 8th grader Scarlett Kerridge observed, “The music was dramatic and soothing by turns. I found it very interesting.” Others felt better prepared as a result of examining and discussing the text in class. Both Clara Kennedy and Maddy Stagg said, “We were glad that we studied it in class so we knew what was going on. It was fun to experience it as a class.” Michael Sullivan and Leo Mangan echoed their classmates’ enthusiasm. “It was cool that we could understand it.”

Like many opera-goers, the LMK group discussed their experience over a delicious French lunch at Encore Bistro in Larchmont.

“It was my first time going to the opera and I was surprised that I liked it,” said LMK student Ben Stephenson.