Devlin fielded questions about his background, his training and negative stereotypes about opera.
Opera singer Michael Devlin, right, listens to UMass-Amherst student Adam W. Morini, of East Longmeadow, sing during a music program Tuesday at Sunderland Elementary School.SUNDERLAND – “Whatever you do, do it lots.”
That was one piece of advice New York Metropolitan Opera bass-baritone singer Michael Devlin sought to impart to 160 students at Sunderland Elementary School when he spoke to them Tuesday. Devlin, 68, has been singing professionally for 45 years and with the Met since 1978.
Devlin lives in Seattle, but he was visiting family in Northborough between shows in Manhattan. Two of his grand-nephews attend the school, he said.
Before the program began, Devlin said, “I would like to give the kids a chance to ask questions and be curious.”
And curious they were. Devlin fielded questions about his background, his training and negative stereotypes about opera. When the question and answer session ended, a murmur of disappointment ran through the crowd.
Devlin also touched on the challenges of being an opera singer: the long and intense rehearsals, the almost endless travel and the fact that many songs have to be performed in a language the singer doesn’t know.
Michael Devlin, right, listens to UMass-Amherst student Adam W. Morini of East Longmeadow sing during Tuesday's program.He admitted he still gets stage fright and sometimes flubs his lines.
“How could someone not be a little nervous, and sometimes real nervous, in front of 3,000 people, singing in a strange costume and in a language you don’t speak?” he said. “Let me tell you, the older you get, the more it happens.”
Three music students from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst performed operatic pieces and also answered questions from the kids. Sophomore Gwendolyn Coburn and juniors Adam Morini and Emma Donahue thanked their teachers and stressed the value of hard work.
And, of course, Devlin performed, as well. But he didn’t sing an aria. Instead, he sang the classic Broadway tune “Ol’ Man River” from “Show Boat.”
“Singing is a very important part of this school,” said Sunderland Elementary music teacher Edward Hines. “I hope the kids will appreciate opera a little bit more as a result of this experience and open their minds up to the classical music that is so much a part of our culture.”
“When you hear great singers, it’s like a little seed that stays with you,” he said.
Devlin, Hines and other school officials said they wanted the program to be enriching and educational to the kids.
Fifth-graders Abigail Pierce and Ella Deane said they enjoyed the performances.
“I really thought (the singers) loved it so much,” said Deane. “Watching it today really inspired me.”
“Live performance is different and sometimes better than what’s recorded,” said Devlin. The students “maybe heard something they want to hear more of.”
John Carey, an administrator at Franklin County Technical School and Devlin’s nephew, said arts education is crucial, but its impacts are hard to see.
“These kinds of events are what the schools need to bring the public eye to the arts,” said Carey.