Muddy River Opera to present operatic version of ‘Pinocchio’ on April 19 at Luther Memorial Church

QUINCY — Muddy River Opera will hold a public performance of its children’s opera from 7 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 19, at Luther Memorial Church. The ensemble also will tour local elementary schools. All performances are free with donations appreciated.

The performance will be an operatic version of the children’s literary classic “Pinocchio” by Carlo Collodi and based on scenes from operas by W.A. Mozart, G. Donizetti, J. Offenbach and G.B. Pergolesi.

Stepping into a new and unknown world, Pinocchio is deceived by Wolf and Cat and persuaded to disobey his father by skipping school in order to meet Dr. Dulcamara, a loathsome puppeteer. Realizing the puppet’s value, Dulcamara holds Pinocchio captive, intending to have him perform with his miraculous mechanical doll, Olympia.

Puppet and doll become friends, and when Dulcamara breaks Olympia in a fit of rage, Pinocchio runs home to admit his disobedience and ask his father’s forgiveness. Accompanied by a policeman, Pinocchio and his dad lead the authorities to Wolf, Cat and Dulcamara, and the bad guys are run out of town. As Pinocchio resolves to always tell the truth and share his problems with trusted grownups, he and his father head home to repair Olympia and begin life anew as a family of three.