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The Madeleine Choir School is one of Salt Lake City's musical treasures, and the school's young musicians are presenting an operatic gem this weekend as the culmination of the Madeleine Festival of the Arts and Humanities.

Benjamin Britten's 1958 opera "Noye's Fludde," adapted from the 15th-century Chester Mystery Play, tells the biblical story of Noah (the title is the Medieval English spelling of "Noah's Flood") in such a way that even amateur performers come off well.

The Madeleine choristers, of course, perform at far above an amateur level. Save for three professional singers and a handful of adult instrumentalists (including cathedral organist Gabriele Terrone), all roles in this production are filled by more than 100 students in grades 4-8.

Airam Alvarez-Marmolejo, Henry Poppe and Stephen Grant, who play Noye's sons, and the eight teenage girls who play Mrs. Noye's squad of Gossips were particularly impressive Friday morning. Jonas Malinka-Thompson and Sophia Hickey danced with marvelous artistry in their roles as the Raven and the Dove, respectively. Their schoolmates combined disarming cuteness and polished musicianship in their roles as animals and birds, wearing brightly colored tunics on which stylized animal emblems were appliquéd. Gregory Glenn conducted the performance; Melanie Malinka headed up the youngsters' musical preparation.

Baritone Tyler Oliphant brought gravity to the role of Noye, but it was Aubrey Adams-McMillan's mischievous Mrs. Noye you'd want to be besties with. Actor Michael Aiello provided an imposing Voice of God.

Audience participation at three key junctures was made easier by the inclusion of music and text in the printed program. —

'Noye's Fludde'

The Madeleine Choir School and Cathedral Chamber Orchestra close the Madeleine Festival of the Arts and Humanities with a short opera by Benjamin Britten.

With • Conductor Gregory Glenn, singers Tyler Oliphant and Aubrey Adams-McMillan and actor Michael Aiello

When • Reviewed Friday morning, April 29; additional performances Friday, April 29, and Sunday, May 1, at 8 p.m.

Where • Cathedral of the Madeleine, 331 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City

Tickets • Free