Operatic performers are coming to a library nearby
A little girl is enthralled by a butterfly being waved close to her. Cape Town Opera's Opera Blocks Series brings Forest Friends to you local library this school holiday.
Image: supplied
A series of free short operatic performances will be showcased at Cape Town Central, Athlone, Edgemead, Hout Bay, and Langa libraries during the school holidays.
Cape Town Opera’s (CTO’s) Opera Blocks series brings Forest Friends to neighbourhood libraries from Tuesday, July 1 until Saturday, July 5.
The free concerts will be presented in partnership with the Judith Neilson Foundation and the City of Cape Town.
Opera Blocks Forest Friends is a performance that invites children to wander and engage with props and set pieces in a captivating forest winter wonderland.
Expect to see a sly fox slipping through the bookshelf, a snail slowly turning the pages of his favourite story, and many more magical moments.
This new production is directed by Elizma Badenhorst and designed to entertain little ones, from baby to age 5.
The forty-minute show, a stimulating experience for young minds, is enhanced with charming choreography, mesmerising visual effects and gentle music.
Age-appropriate songs will be performed by outstanding Cape Town opera singers - some of whom were recently seen in CTO’s sellout production of Aida, including Danielle Speckman, performing as Zuri the butterfly; Ntombizodwa Nkiso is Mimi the mouse; Ernestine Stuurman is Nia the deer; Sasha Damons is Bela the bunny; and Judith Neilson, young artists Sisikelelwe Mngenela is Luna the owl, and Khayakazi Mdalala is Tilly the squirrel.
Among the songs sung will be the evening prayer from Hansel and Gretel, much-loved tunes from The Nutcracker, such as the waltz of the flowers and the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Research shows that exposing young minds to classical music positively impacts their development and creativity.
Opera Blocks Forest Friends will be at Athlone Library at 1pm on Tuesday 1; at Edgemead Library from 10am until 2pm on Wednesday July 2; Cape Town Central Library, from noon until 2pm on Thursday July 3; at Hout Bay Library at 2pm on Friday July 4; and at Langa Library on July 5.
Entry is free to all. Tickets must be booked to secure seats via Webtickets. https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1569769803