Cape Town: The Community, Arts and Culture Development Department of the City of Cape Town held eight successful performances across the City, past week. This was made possible by the partnership with Cape Town Opera.
Opera Blocks is a fun, interactive theatre experience that incorporates vibrant colours, shapes, and classical music for children up to five years old, along with their parents and caregivers. Eight concerts were held at City libraries throughout the metropole, with the last one scheduled to take place at Sea Point.
Reportedly, the concerts at Gugulethu, Bellville, Milnerton, Retreat and Sea Point Libraries attracted over 360 attendees.
Considering this, Cape Town Opera’s Head of Education and Participation – Madré Loubser said that they had such a wonderful time this week presenting the new production, Opera Blocks Under the Sea, to both the regular little ones and many new babies and toddlers.
It was a joy to see how they responded to the colourful sea creatures and how much they enjoyed the arias – moving, listening, and joining in with excitement. One of the highlights was seeing some of the young ones dressed up as mermaids and pirates, really becoming part of the story.
At Cape Town Opera, they believe that it is important to introduce children to opera from a very young age. Through play, singing, dancing, and storytelling, they create a fun and welcoming space where children can experience music in a natural and joyful way. These early experiences help to build a love for opera and the arts that can grow with them over time.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Service and Health – Councillor Francine Higham stated that these concerts continue to grow in popularity, showing just how important it is to create opportunities for young children to experience the arts in their own communities.
Higham cleared that through their partnership with Cape Town Opera, they are able to bring music, creativity and play into the public libraries in a way that is accessible and welcoming. There is so much to learn through the magic of play theatre and music. They hope that the next series of Opera Blocks will be even more popular and that parents will make use of the opportunity to have their children experience the wonderful world of play theatre.