VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — A special opera is making its debut in Hampton Roads and its composer is just 20 years old, living proof that age is just a number.

Alma Deutscher started playing piano at two and began writing her first opera, “Cinderella,” at eight. The child prodigy has spent the last decade living up to the title, and now she comes to Virginia Beach for a performance unlike any she’s had before.

For the first time in her career, she will perform with people younger than her. 

The cast and orchestra were selected from the Governor’s School for the Arts, which draws students from Chesapeake, Franklin, Isle of Wight County, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Southampton County, Suffolk and Virginia Beach.

Cinderella is played by Abigail Bodvake of Maury High School. She said she’s been a fan of Deutscher since she was 12.

“I can’t imagine how anyone does that at any age, let alone at 10,” Bodvake said. “It’s very, very impressive, but I’m also very impressed by her maturity and how much she knows about love and the world.”

Although they may not be the professionals she is accustomed to working with, Deutscher said the students’ youth has been refreshing.

“It’s really wonderful working with young musicians,” Deutscher said. “It’s so wonderful to see how motivated they are and what a wonderful atmosphere there is, and it’s always been a dream of mine to have young people love my music.”

For cast members like Bodvake, this opportunity is like living in a fairy tale.

“It’s surreal. I can’t believe that this is real life,” she said. “It feels like a dream-come-true to get to work with Alma and to play this role in this opera.”

“Cinderella” will be performed at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts in Virginia Beach. Click here for event details and ticket info.