Education projects at the LNOBT

Co-ordinated by Sofija Jonaitytė

LNOBT, along with many other opera theatres, is concerned about the education of the young theatregoers - new educational projects are carried out every year. A great deal of joyful experiences has been gathered throughout the last few years.

The Education Programme is run as part of the company’s strategy for marketing. The first education project Viva Opera has been designed to bring the art of opera to teenagers and young people not only in Vilnius city, but also in the surrounding and more remote regions of the country, to encourage their appreciation of this beautiful genre and to develop their aesthetic sense and musical culture. In 2005-06 the project was dedicated to the celebration of Mozart’s 250th anniversary. In 2006-07 we presented cycle of music lessons From Little Genius Mozart to the Little Prince and Let us Sing with the Little Prince!, inspired by the preparation for the production of R. Portman’s opera “The Little Prince”.

A drawing contest The Little Prince is Travelling to us achieved massive success - LNOBT received more than 400 drawings from various Lithuanian schools and kindergartens, the youngest participant being only 4 years old, the oldest - 18. During the 2007-08 Season we visited Lithuanian schools with projects Labyrinths of the Opera Theatre, Little European M. The newest LNOBT’s projects The Little Prince is Travelling to You! and The Labyrinths of Opera continue the beautiful tradition of meeting our youngest theatregoers.

In the autumn of 2005 LNOBT, art studio “Diemedis” and primary classes of three schools presented Let’s Produce an Opera! project. Two operas for children by R. Dikciene - “Kabakst kabaldakst” and “Musician, Devil and the Thunder” were performed on LNOBT’s stage by more than 400 little artists from the kindergartens and primary schools of Vilnius.

Since October 2006 the LNOBT had been offering theatre lessons at the opera studio for children The game of opera - here children from primary schools get to know the art of opera, with the help of experienced teachers they learn how to sing, dance and act. Children also meet opera soloists and conductors. The admission is performed in autumn, however, those who wish can join the studio later.

Together with all European opera theatres LNOBT celebrates Opera Days - this is the time when theatre’s doors are wide open for everyone. In 2009 we will be celebrating Opera Days on 9 May - the day of “La traviata” premiere at the LNOBT.

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Theatrical excursions exploring the backstage of the theatre have been a part of LNOBT since 2004, with thousands of participants of all ages from different Lithuanian cities and abroad. Excursions are organized Tuesdays-Fridays at 9:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Cost of excursions: single participant - 9 Litas, groups of 15-25 people - 85 Litas. Schoolchildren, students and seniors - 6 Litas, groups of 15-25 people - 55 Litas.

All excursions must be booked beforehand - please contact us by calling +370 615 10306 or by e-mail at edukacija@opera.lt  

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Since 2002 the theatre has been presenting special educational evenings - meetings. Continuing the tradition, during the 2008-09 Season LNOBT is inviting all theatregoers to a cycle of such meetings The Labyrinths of Opera.

22 January before opera “Boris Godunov” - Power, Will and History
Hosted by Leonidas Donskis

5 February before ballet “The Nutcracker” - Miraculous Fairytale on the Stage of Contemporary Ballet
Hosted by Helmutas Sabasevicius

3 March before ballets “The Firebird” and “Diaghilev. Fantasies” - Astonished by Diaghilev’s Ballets
Hosted by Egle Uliene

26 March before opera “Don Giovanni” - Don Giovanni: in Search of Eternal Femininity
Hosted by Jonas Vilimas

22 April before ballet “Acid City” - City Jungle
Hosted by Mindaugas Urbaitis

All meetings are free of charge and take place at the Chamber Hall of the theatre at 5:30 p.m.

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The LNOBT is kindly inviting you to have your birthday celebration at the theatre!
On this special day the LNOBT presents you with a free ticket to the performance and grants a 30% discount to the tickets of all your guests (the discount system is not applied to the premiere performances and events at the Chamber Hall). We have no doubts - it will be the most spectacular celebration of your birthday!

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Good news for all students and schoolchildren!
An hour before curtain up all daytime students, schoolchildren and teachers can buy one ticket to the performance of that day with a 70% discount (it is required to provide your student / school document). During educational evenings at the Chamber Hall the discount is valid one and a half hours before the curtain up. The discount does not apply to premiere performances. 

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Feedback: 

“I was far from excited about going to the concert, which I expected to be just another tedious extra-curricular class you are dragged along to. But no sooner had it started than I realized that opera is cool. It did grab my attention. Thank you.”

Kristina Dambrauskaitė, Joniškis M. Slančiauskas Gymnasium, Ist year

“At last opera has come to our school! The pupils have never experienced anything like that. The packed auditorium, breath taken away, was listening to the performance, which must have been the first encounter with the opera to many of them. We are grateful to the young singers and their inspirer, our school’s graduate, Sofija Jonaityte.”

Simonas Kilius on behalf of the pupils of Joniškis Aušra Gymnasium

“The project proved engaging and professionally-made. Pupils from Year I to III had a wonderful opportunity to hear young singers perform opera arias, which gave them a sense of scenic culture and opera aesthetics. The pupils loved the concert, which was the first encounter with the genre to some of them. I believe that such projects provide a good alternative to popular culture and a refreshing influence to a growing personality.”

Rūta Knystautienė, Deputy Director for Extra-Curricular Activity
Vilnius Gabija Gymnasium 

“We enjoyed it as there was direct communication with the audience. The audience was actually involved into the show. Thank you. We’d love to see you at our school more often.”
Laima and Monika from Vilnius Gabija Gymnasium, 3rd  year

“We loved the performance – fabulous voices and imaginative impersonations. Today, young people consider opera a dull stuff; however, after we have spent this afternoon with these singers listening to them perform arias, we see that opera is not a waste of time. Thank you, we hope we’ll meet again.”

Viktorija and Monika from Vilnius Gabija Gymnasium, 3rd year