“Opera for Children” Brings the Magic of Live Music to 3,000 Young Audiences
On Tuesday, March 11, the annual “Opera for Children” performance was held, welcoming approximately 3,000 sixth-grade students from across Kyoto Prefecture.
This event was first launched in 2015 as a pre-opening project for ROHM Theatre Kyoto, inspired by Seiji Ozawa’s vision of bringing authentic musical experiences to young audiences. Since 2016, it has been held annually at ROHM Theatre Kyoto, creating unforgettable memories for thousands of children (with the exception of 2020 and 2021, when it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
This year, students from 57 schools across Kyoto Prefecture were invited to enjoy the performance.
The concert began with the orchestra’s signature instrument introduction, a beloved tradition of the Seiji Ozawa Music Academy, where musicians creatively showcased their instruments to engage and inspire the young audience.
The highlight of the event featured excerpts from Verdi’s masterpiece “La traviata”, performed by a cast of outstanding soloists selected through rigorous auditions.
As Verdi’s soaring melodies and powerful choral harmonies filled the hall, the children sat completely captivated, their eyes fixed on the stage. Annina and Gaston, acting as narrators, guided the audience through the story, drawing them even deeper into the world of opera. Some students swayed gently to the music, while others leaned forward in excitement, fully immersed in the performance.
We hope this experience left a lasting impression, inspiring these young students to discover and appreciate the magic of music.
Thank you to everyone who attended!
