The Phenomenon of Franjo Štefanović’s Children’s Operas

The promotion of the publication ‘The Phenomenon of Children’s Operas by Franjo Štefanović’ dealing with the authentic cultural phenomenon of children’s opera in the history of Petrovaradin and Novi Sad will be held in the Egység Cultural Station on 8 May 2022, within the Future of Europe programme arch.

Franjo Štefanović (1879-1924), an artist from Petrovaradin, composer and music pedagogue, wrote four opera-fairy tales about a forest queen, children hijackers and other popular themes.

As part of the promotion, there will be performed Franjo Štefanović’s opera ‘The Forest Queen’, wholly performed by children themselves, on the occasion of marking this year’s centenary of its first staging. The opera is directed by Robert Raponja, a university professor, director and drama pedagogue from Osijek (Croatia). The performance will be preceded by two workshops addressing ecological sustainability and environmental protection, and there will be a post-performance debate so that the spectators can discuss their impressions.

The event is accessible to people with disabilities.