by Christina Riley

In early February, more than two dozen area youngsters auditioned for a children's chorus. They arrived with nursery rhymes, patriotic songs and familiar numbers from "Shrek" and Disney movies. Less than four months later, 13 of them are performing a little-known Giordano opera score. In Italian. At the Spoleto Festival USA.

"Learning the songs was the hardest part," said Julian Ford, 9, one of the boys who plays Valentino, the solo child part in "Mese Mariano." "Remembering what to say was really, really hard," agreed 10-year-old Davis Varnado, who also plays Valentino on alternate nights. The role requires the boys to recite lengthy lines as well as perform solos.

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Source: http://www.postandcourier.com/