SCHOOLS have been learning about classical music from a touring opera company.

English Touring Opera have been visiting a number of schools in Furness, teaching the children about opera and performing their interactive opera production ‘Paradise Planet’.

Yesterday children from St James’ Church of England Junior School in Barrow had the chance to get watch the opera and even get involved in the performance.

Paradise Planet is a collection of ocean stories about humans who live on the waves and the creatures that live beneath them.

Daniel Coelho, education manager at English Touring Opera spoke about the new performance and the work done at schools like St James’.

He said: “The work with the children has been going very well.”

He went on to explain how “Paradise Planet’ tells the story of the animals and humans who use the ocean and is an exploration of the planets history, looking at the topics like the environment and what we can do to save the planet.

He said: “The performance works with the audience playing the part of mankind and the children finding a way to save the planet.

“It ends with a very optimistic view of the world where the children save all the animals.”

Mr Coelho explained that a big part of performance was the participation from the children.

He said: “By allowing the children to participate. they are able to take ownership of the performance.”

Mr Coelho said they have had great feedback from teachers at St James’ and other schools in the area.

He said: “The performances have been great and the children have loved it.”

“It is great to be to visit places which are more disconnected from the major cities.

“The children often have no experience of opera so are more open to it.”