BIDDEFORD — It’s as young children that most people hear about the Grimm’s fairy tale “Hansel and Gretel,” in which two children, a brother and sister, are drawn to a gingerbread house and have to outsmart a wicked witch so she doesn’t eat them.

But few are lucky enough to experience the tale as presented to the students at the Biddeford Middle School on Thursday.

These students sat in the audience at the Biddeford Middle School performing arts center auditorium where local high school students, who are participating in the Regional Fine Arts music class, performed the operatic version of the story.

The opera “Hansel and Gretel” was composed by 19th century composer Engelbert Humperdinck.

Though opera was a new experience for many of the fourth- and fifth-graders, they seemed to enjoy the show. They laughed at some of Hansel’s antics and clapped a number of times during the 45-minute performance.

Two young “critics” in the audience, fourth-graders Mercedes Thomes and Kaylee Perron said they liked the opera, and each had a part they enjoyed best.

“I liked when they shoved the witch into the oven,” said Thomes.

“I liked when the gingerbread kids danced,” said Perron.

The parts of the gingerbread boys and girls were played by students in the BIS drama club; fifth-grade teacher Rob Petit is the advisor of that club.

Practicing opera performer Melissa Manseau, who teaches the Regional Fine Arts music class, directed the opera.

Although putting on a performance isn’t necessarily part of the program, and requires an enormous amount of work in and outside of the class by the students involved, Manseau said she was happy the class wanted to do it, because part of her mission in life is to

expose young children to opera.

“There’s something moving about a human voice that can create that kind of sound and emotion,” said Manseau, and she wants to share her passion for opera with others.

As for the performers, some like Tess Limoggio, a senior at Marshwood High School, who played the part of the evil witch, have an appreciation for opera and appeared in operatic productions before. Limoggio has worked with Manseau in a previous production of “Hansel and Gretel” and also in the opera “The Marriage of Figaro.”

Luke D’Alessandro, only a freshman at BHS, also has some opera experience. He said Manseau sought him out to participate in the class.

But while the main characters, Hansel, played by BHS senior Katherine Brady, and Gretel, played by Adrienne Bowie, also a senior at BHS, have music experience, they had never studied opera.

“It’s a lot harder than it looks,” said Bowie. She said there is a lot involved as performers attempt to sing high notes and project their voices while simultaneously running around on stage.

Brady said singing along with the piano compositions was difficult; “The melodies are weird.”

Even Limoggio, who has opera experience, said “Hansel and Gretel” is a particularly difficult piece. “It’s not a melodic sound. There’s a lot of clashing of the cords.”

Despite the challenge and the work involved ”“ some of the students dropped out of the program because of the demands of the class ”“ those who stuck it out said the experience of studying opera with Manseau and performing “Hansel and Gretel” was very rewarding.

“It was really cool,” said Allison Grant, a sophomore at Noble High School, who played Hansel and Gretel’s mother.

The class “is a lot different than what my school offers,” she said. “It was an awesome experience.”

Lauren Stetson, a freshman at Massabesic High School, who plays one of the fairies in the opera, said she enjoyed the experience because “It’s nice being able to expand on what you know and it’s nice meeting students from other schools.”

Gail Roller, the head of the Biddeford School Department’s gifted and talented program who coordinates the Regional Fine Arts program said, “I thought it (the performance) was great. I’m really proud of the students. They developed a real ensemble.”

She said the performance, and what goes into it, epitomizes the strengths of the Regional Fine Arts programs, which takes some of the most talented students in particular fields from local schools and puts them in a class with a practicing professional who pushes and challenges them, helping them to develop in ways that they might not in ordinary classroom settings.

In addition to music, the program offers classes in writing, dance and movement, theater, and oil painting.

The program, which is 20 years old, is hosted by Biddeford and includes high school students not only from BHS, but also from Old Orchard Beach High School, Marshwood High School in South Berwick, Noble High School in North Berwick, Massabesic High School in Waterboro, and Bonny Eagle High School in Standish.

Roller, who is retiring at the end of the school year, said she believes she’s leaving the program in good hands. Many if not all of those teaching the classes this year plan to be back next year, and BMS performing arts center Manager Chris Gebhart will take over some of Roller’s tasks. However, she said, she hopes the school department will keep her position so that the Regional Fine Arts and Biddeford’s Gifted and Talented program can continue to be grow.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.