Coastal Concerts to offer free family concert Sept. 27 in Lewes

The story of Babar, the beloved little gray elephant of children’s book fame, will come alive at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 27, at a free family concert presented at Bethel United Methodist Church, Lewes, by Coastal Concerts.

Local actress Roo Brown will narrate the classic as Richard Dowling, pianist, performs Francis Poulenc’s piano masterpiece, “The Story of Babar the Elephant.”

As most children and many adults know, Babar is a very popular French children’s fictional character who first appeared in France in 1931. Soon after publication, English versions appeared in America and soon Babar’s stories spread around the world. He entered the world of music in 1940 when French composer Poulenc was at the piano and his 3-year-old cousin Sophie asked him to “play” her story book, “Babar the Little Elephant.” Poulenc improvised accompaniments for each scene in the book. Sophie was thrilled, and called in the neighboring children, who loved the music too. Poulenc wrote the music down and dedicated it to these youngsters.

The music uses various devices to paint the scenes of Babar’s life. Slow, low piano tones suggest lumbering beasts. High, staccato notes suggest the call of the birds. Pedals blur the scene, creating the mists of the jungle or the warmth of the sleepy elephant. Babar’s opening theme, joyful and warm, reappears sadly when he remembers his mother.

Jean de Brunhoff wrote the first Babar books, based on tales that his wife Cecile told their children. After his death in 1937, their son Laurent de Brunhoff carried on the series. Babar’s story begins when he is orphaned, then travels to Paris, where he learns to walk on his hind legs, dons a green suit and becomes an elegant elephant. The books feature a solid family structure, strong female characters and lessons on the choices children must make to become decent people.

In the United States, Richard Dowling has performed on the PBS program “Debut” and on NPR’s “Performance Today.” In New York he has been featured at Lincoln Center, Central Park and Carnegie Hall. Dowling celebrated the 1998 centennial of George Gershwin’s birth by performing his complete orchestral piano works. His CDs include Klavier’s “World’s Greatest Rags” and “Rhapsody in Ragtime.” Dowling has a special affinity for France and its music, art and culture, studying at the Nice Conservatory. He has been honored with the Paris Piano Institute’s Grand Prix.

Roo Brown joins a distinguished group of Babar narrators including Meryl Streep, Tony Randall and Peter Ustinov. Brown retired to Lewes from an active career as an actress, song stylist and composer in New York. A Smith College graduate, she has studied composition with Alvin Etler and jazz improvisation with John Mehegan at Julliard. Brown has acted in off-Broadway musical comedies and for many years was a member of the BMI Musical Theater Workshop. She has composed, directed and arranged for vocal groups since high school. Her compositions can be heard on Jersey Transit’s “Magic Moments” CD. Locally she has narrated “Peter and the Wolf” with Zephyros Winds Society for Coastal Concerts and a concert version of “The Mikado” for the Southern Delaware Choral Society. Brown’s sacred works are published by Deerwood Music.

“We are excited to join the world in celebrating Babar’s 75th birthday at this family concert here in Lewes,” said Dolores Fiegel, chairwoman of Coastal Concerts Outreach Committee. She urged families to come early to the concert as seating is limited, but no tickets or reservations are necessary.

The one-hour concert will also feature additional music selections.

Coastal Concerts will also present Dowling in an evening concert on the same date as it begins its 10th season of bringing world class classical music to the coastal region. For information, call 888-212-6458 or visit www.Coastalconcerts.org.

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