SCHOOLCHILDREN from Rhyl hit the high notes with a top US opera soprano at a one-day singing workshop.

Pupils from Ysgol Llywelyn in Rhyl were among 750 children who took part at the event, hosted by the CânSing organisation at Glyndŵr University’s William Aston Hall, receiving a masterclass from singing sensation Stacey Wheeler.

She also performed Originally from Pennsylvania and now living in Cardiff with top tenor husband Gwyn Hughes Jones, Wheeler performed the aria O Mio Babbino Caro from Puccini’s opera Gianni Schicchi to her spellbound audience of budding young singers as well as helping prep the children for their own mini-performance

Rhyl Journal:

Soprano Stacey Wheeler during her performance. Picture: Mandy Jones

During the event, held in partnership with the Welsh National Opera (WNO), she told the children how she started singing when she was their age and how anyone with a passion for singing, who trained hard, could learn how to sing opera.

Ms Wheeler said: “It was really impressive to see such enthusiasm and when they all came together, singing the different parts and singing in harmony, it was just a joy to be there and hear it.

“I was really impressed to hear the children’s singing and how enthusiastic they were. When they all sing together in harmony, it was just a joy to be there.”

On the operatic theme, one of the songs the children sang themselves during the workshop was the farewell song from Mozart’s The Magic Flute which was part of WNO's Spring season.

Rhyl Journal:

School pupils from across Wrexham, Denbighshire and Flintshire get into the spirit. Picture: Mandy Jones

Ellen Williams-Lumb, music coordinator at Ysgol Llywelyn said: “Singing is an opportunity for the children to express themselves because music and singing, it tugs at the heart strings.

“Today has been such a joyous experience for the children and they have also had a chance to learn more and listen to opera live on the stage which has been a special experience for them. I think it will be very inspiring to all of us.

Ysgol Llywelyn pupil Evie Oakden, 10, is in the choir at school, agreed: “Singing always makes me feel happy and makes me feel full of energy.

“I have really enjoyed today and liked learning more about opera. It make me want to try it more. It has been a lot of fun and I liked being able to sing with everyone else.”

For more information about Welsh National Opera,visit wno.org.uk or to help sponsor similar events in the future contact CânSing via suzanne.barnes@cansing.org.uk or visit cansing.org.uk.