[keryx]

From the article:The video features the soprano Dame Joan Sutherland and three puppet friends discussing Gounod's "Faust." Waggoner thought it would be a good introduction to opera.

Her critics questioned the decision to show children a portrayal of the devil, Mephistopheles, along with a scene showing a man being killed by a sword and a reference to suicide.[end]

While there's nothing wrong with introducing opera to children, I would question using 'Faust' as an example for second and third grade children. I would have even questioned this when I was younger and a LOT more liberal.

With all the operas out there, couldn't material more age appropriate been used? At that age I saw "Hansel and Gretel,' which doesn't necessarily come as a recommendation, just demonstrative of other possibilities.

While not an an opera, my favorite introductory piece has always been 'Peter and the Wolf.' The instrumentation is clever, tells a good story, and there's a happy ending.

Faust does not have a happy ending.