The Children’s Opera Festival is one of the flagship projects of the Comic Opera for Children, organized since 2015, around June 1, World Children’s Day. The official opening of the event takes place this year on May 17, starting at 4 p.m., and then the festival is open to the public every Friday, from 4 to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., until 9 June inclusive. Among the must-see attractions are the Butterfly Garden, the Adventure Park, the Bird House, the Water Balloon Target, the Carousel and the Train, to which many more will be added, revealed at the opening of the event. Also this year, children between the ages of 0-3 have a space dedicated exclusively to them – the Bebe FOC area, which will not be missing the City of Babies and the Sensory House – as well as outdoor events, held at the House from Copac, such as the mini-concerts with the characters from the “Bubu” shows.
And at this FOC edition, the emphasis will be on reading, through meetings with children’s book authors and events dedicated to bibliophiles, scheduled at Căsuța din Copac. Moviegoers will be able to enjoy outdoor movies every Saturday of the festival after sunset. Access is free and the selection includes dubbed feature films: “Wonka” (2023), “The Little Mermaid” (2023), “Elementary” (2023) and “Encanto” (2021). And as darkness settles in, the Star Observatory turns summer nights into beautiful memories for little ones and their families.
In addition to the activities and attractions arranged outdoors and in non-conventional spaces, the festival includes 60 performances, scheduled in the Great Hall, the Mozart Hall and the UnderGrant Hall.
“Matilda” in the Great Hall
The super production that opens the eighth edition of the Children’s Opera Festival, the musical “Matilda” premieres in Romania, starting on May 17, in the Great Hall, directed by Emil Pantelimon.
“Matilda” brings to the stage the captivating story of a little girl with unusual powers, inspired by the classic novel by Roald Dahl. Through music, dance and performance, the show conveys powerful messages about finding beauty in the small things and fighting against bullying and violence, while addressing current topics such as media manipulation and resistance to social pressures.
This production not only captivates the audience with the original story of the protagonist, but also challenges the audience to reflect on some deep and current social issues. “Matilda” is not only an entertainment show, but also a medium to promote messages of understanding, tolerance and courage, providing a memorable and educational theater experience for the whole family.
“Magical Story” and “Petrić and the Wolf” in the Mozart Salon
During the Children’s Opera Festival, the Mozart Salon hosts two titles loved by the whole family: the magic show “Poveste magică”, presented and designed by Bogdan Muntean, and the symphonic fairy tale “Petrić and the Wolf”, by Sergei Prokofiev.
The magic show “Poveste magică”, presented and designed by the talented Bogdan Muntean, brings the magic art to the fore in an original and humorous way. Bogdan Muntean, the magician of the Children’s Comic Opera, takes the audience through the fascinating universe of illusion, using tricks and jokes to create an atmosphere full of surprises and enchantments. From mysterious apparitions to inexplicable disappearances, the show “Magic Story” promises to be an exciting journey into the world of magic.
In the show “Petrică and the Wolf”, the instrumentalists of the Children’s Comic Opera bring the story to life, each musical instrument being a character in itself, to illustrate the adventures of Petrică and their friends. With the help of the Story Lord and a projection showing drawings in the sand, “Petrica and the Wolf” is a memorable musical and visual experience for the little ones.
“Little Red Riding Hood” and “Bubu and the Seasons” in the UnderGrant Hall
In the UnderGrant Hall, as part of the Children’s Opera Festival, a show long awaited by the public returns, the ballet “Little Red Riding Hood”, as well as the first title in the trilogy “Bubu”, “Bubu and the Seasons”, a sensory show dedicated to babies.
In an original reinterpretation by Andreea Soare, the “Red Riding Hood” ballet brings new characters and special elements, transforming the classic story into an exciting adventure full of surprises. From the charming dances of Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Wolf, to their encounters with new and unexpected characters in the forest, this show is a joy for the whole family.
Also, in the UnderGrant Hall, the first title of the “Bubu” trilogy will be presented, entitled “Bubu and the seasons”. This sensory show is specially dedicated to babies and aims to stimulate the senses and emotional development of the little ones. With music inspired by Antonio Vivaldi’s famous “Seasons” concerts, this show brings the world of sounds and sensations to the fore, giving children an interactive and immersive experience.
The Children’s Opera Festival is the event where art meets fun, in a vibrant, outdoor atmosphere, facilitating a rich cultural experience for the whole family. Access to the festival is free, and participation in certain activities is done with OCC tickets, available at the OCC Store on site. The cost of a ticket is 3 lei.
