Barcelona’s Liceu music hall premieres a Rossini opera for children

Barcelona’s Liceu opera house wants to bring opera to children. 

Their new show, 'La cuina de Rossini' (Rossini’s kitchen), has music from one of the most renowned composers from the 19th century, Gioachino Rossini.

The performances will take place on February 5 and 6 as well as April 23 and 24. Some schools have already had the chance to enjoy the show.

"We have concerts for kids, just schools. It was amazing, it’s incredible. A completely different kind of audience. The kids are very excited, asking ‘Oh, what is that?’," opera singer Frederico de Oliveira playing Rossini at ‘La Cuina de Rossini’ said to Catalan News. 

The story features two siblings as the main characters, Ross and Isabella, who "discover a magical universe inside the conductor’s baton," the singer explained. 

The two kids wake Rossini’s ghost up. She wants to be a chef specializing in healthy food, while Ross is passionate about opera. The show focuses on empathy, friendship, teamwork, and healthy eating. 

The opera is for people "aged 6 to over 80" de Oliveira says, and singers sing in Catalan. 

"I started Catalan classes and two months later the Liceu saw my audition," de Oliveira said. 

The opera takes place in a “unique and powerful stage with singers and an orchestra," stage director David Selvas told the Catalan News Agency (ACN). 

Instead of creating a powerful show, the most important part was to "let the music and Rossini’s voices take the center stage."