A Spellbinding Day at the Opera for Children and Families

Subtitle: Opera Blocks Captivates Little Ones and Nurtures Future Opera Lovers

A Musical Experience for All Ages

Last weekend, the Artscape Theatre Centre came alive with melodies and enchantment as the Social Development and Early Childhood Development (SD&ECD) Department partnered with Cape Town Opera (CTO) to showcase the fourth installment of Opera Blocks, a unique theatre event designed specifically for parents, caregivers, infants, and young children.

Opera Blocks aims to offer children up to five years of age an opportunity to engage with the performing arts in an immersive and age-appropriate way. The event on September 16th attracted around 200 attendees from a diverse range of communities across the city, including Delft, Dunoon, Pella, Mitchells Plain, Grassy Park, Steenberg, Wynberg, Muizenberg, Parkwood, Athlone, Manenberg, Blikkiesdorp, Cafda, and Uitsig.

CTO’s artistic director, Magdalene Minnaar, designed Opera Blocks to cater to young audiences, highlighting that babies as young as two months old have enjoyed the performances over the past year and a half. CTO’s commitment to the initiative demonstrates their dedication to educating and fostering a love for opera among the younger generation in Cape Town.

Enchanting Themes: The World of Petals

The latest edition of Opera Blocks, titled “Petals,” built on the success of previous events by incorporating a garden-inspired theme. The enchanting world of Petals draws its inspiration from the beauty of nature, vividly portraying blooming flowers, lush leaves, and towering trees.

Created specifically for babies and young children, the musical play sessions allow parents and caregivers to engage their little ones in singing, dancing, and playing while benefiting from exposure to classical music during their crucial developmental stages. Opera Blocks not only introduces children and their families to the joy of opera but also promotes early learning experiences through artistic expression and creativity.

The City’s Arts and Culture Branch plans to host at least one more Opera Blocks session during this financial year. Councillor Patricia Van der Ross, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, praised the initiative, commenting on the importance of giving children the opportunity to experience art through music and play. She emphasized that such experiences are not only enjoyable but also educational, enhancing the development of new skills for children.

Groundbreaking Collaboration and Lasting Impact

Opera Blocks has proven to be a groundbreaking project, captivating the hearts and minds of both children and parents, and demonstrating that the world of opera can be accessible to all. The partnership between the Social Development and Early Childhood Development Department and Cape Town Opera highlights the potential for innovative programming in classical performing arts while nurturing a new generation of opera lovers.

As the curtain closes on another successful Opera Blocks event, the atmosphere of excitement and wonder continues to linger. The seeds planted by this initiative will undoubtedly bear fruit in the years to come, as children who experienced their first taste of opera through Opera Blocks will carry their passion and curiosity for this magnificent art form into the future.