"Opera for Children" A total of 59 schools in Nagano prefecture, about 4,300 first-year junior high school students watched!
The educational program “Opera for Children" invites first-year junior high school students in Nagano Prefecture to opera performances.
The history of the educational program goes back to 1992 with the founding of the Saito Kinen Festival Matsumoto. Director Seiji Ozawa’s strong passion has kept the program going for 30 years, and more than 430,000 children have been invited to opera performances.
The students enjoyed Act 1 and 2 from Puccini's "La Bohème". Before the performance began, an introduction to orchestral instruments was given. Eijiro Takanashi, who played the role of Alcindoro, served as the narrator and members of the Seiji Ozawa Academy Orchestra appeared from various locations such as the stage and audience to introduce the sounds of 14 instruments.
Under the direction of Maestro Diego Matheuz, the students were fascinated by the natural power of the singers' voices, the live performance of the orchestra, the luxurious stage equipment, and the dramatic story unfolding up close. The 2023 OMF "Opera for Children" was enjoyed by approximately 4,300 first-year junior high school students from 59 schools in Nagano prefecture.
