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The project's main objective is to introduce young Portuguese students to the language of opera, providing them with a first contact with this form of artistic expression, both in its formative and recreational dimensions.
It features the presentation of three operas, selected for the richness of their stories, the diversity of their universes, and the possibility of establishing a connection between the themes addressed and the daily lives of children:
- Bastien and Bastienne , by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — a short opera with bucolic and rural inspiration, which will allow you to explore themes related to nature, the environment and its preservation.
- The Magic Flute , by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — a journey into a universe of fantasy, symbolism, and enchantment, where imagination and discovery take center stage.
- The Barber of Seville , by Gioachino Rossini — a delightful comic opera that portrays human relationships, customs, and the vibrancy of urban life.
The operas will be performed in Portuguese by young singers and adapted to the duration of a school term, in order to guarantee an accessible, dynamic experience suitable for the students' age.
The performances will feature sets, costumes, and piano accompaniment, recreating the atmosphere of a true opera production.
Each session will also include a facilitator, responsible for guiding and encouraging the children's participation, explaining, in a simple and accessible way, the characteristics of opera, the different voices, singing techniques, and the terminology specific to this art form.
The aim is for students to be not just spectators, but active participants in an experience of discovery, learning, and direct contact with music and theatre.
The Opera in Schools project also includes an important aspect of supporting artistic training: the awarding of scholarships to young participating singers, helping them to pursue and deepen their musical and vocal studies.
In this way, it simultaneously promotes the formation of new audiences for classical music and the development of young national talents, creating opportunities for learning and professional growth.
The sessions are intended for children and young people attending preschool, the 1st cycle and the 2nd cycle of basic education, up to the 7th grade.
About the author
The Opera in Schools project was born in 2024, an initiative of the teacher, opera singer and director António Wagner Diniz, with the mission of bringing opera closer to children and young people, bringing music, theatre and artistic expression to the school context.
Born in Lisbon, António Wagner Diniz graduated from the National Conservatory and the Basel Academy of Music, furthering his studies in Paris and Switzerland with renowned singing masters. He has built an international artistic career, performing with various orchestras, at festivals and leading concert halls in Europe and Asia, and regularly participating in opera productions. He is also notable for his contribution to the dissemination of Portuguese music, through the creation and premiere of works by national composers.
He was a member of several musical groups and a singing teacher at the National Conservatory since 1987, an institution he directed between 2000 and 2009. He also served as director of the Orquestra Geração project. In 2010, he was awarded the National Prize for Teachers for Innovation, granted by the Ministry of Education.
Inspired by a life dedicated to music and teaching, he created the Opera in Schools project, believing in the transformative power of art and the importance of providing new generations with direct contact with different forms of artistic expression.
Through experiences that combine music, vocal expression, and the theatrical world, the project introduces the world of opera in an accessible and engaging way, stimulating creativity, imagination, sensitivity, and a love of culture.
We want to bring Opera in Schools to more and more educational establishments, so that more children and young people can discover, experience and live the magic of opera.
Budget and due dates
The funds raised through this campaign will be exclusively used for the production and staging of the following opera performances during the year 2027:
- Bastien and Bastienne , by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart;
- The Magic Flute , by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart;
- The Barber of Seville , by Gioachino Rossini.
The funding will ensure the necessary human and artistic resources for the realization of these shows, and will be applied exclusively to the following expenses:
- Fees for the participating singers involved in performing in the shows;
- Musical accompaniment , provided by a pianist;
- Artistic production and organization of performances , including the preparation and execution of presentations;
- Secretarial and coordination roles are necessary for the management and coordination of activities.
Our commitment is to ensure the transparent and responsible use of donations, applying all funds raised to the implementation of these artistic and educational initiatives.
Every contribution will be crucial in bringing opera to more schools and providing children and young people with direct contact with this musical and cultural heritage.
