Jirina Marková-Krystlíková
The Children’s Opera in Prague, now in its 11th year, is the brainchild of State Opera soloist Professor Jiøina Marková-Krystujivá
Children’s Opera in Prague
Kids aren’t generally known for their love of opera, but this didn’t deter Jiøina Marková-Krystlíková, a Prague State Opera soloist, from setting up the Children’s Opera. Jiøina, who formerly ran a music school, was inspired to form the company 10 years ago, prompted by her pupils’ enjoyment at performing and singing.
The troupe began with a mere 20 children and now has 65 members aged from eight to 20. They attend ordinary schools and only come together to practise once a week, though this increases as showtime approaches. They perform frequently at theatres in Prague, occasionally in other parts of the Czech Republic and twice annually abroad – so far to Germany, Austria, France and Japan.
Their repertoire includes operas by Mozart and Britten, as well as many Czech composers. The children sing in Italian and German, as well as their native language. The first they ever undertook was Brundibár, a children’s opera by Hans Krása. It remains in the repertoire to commemorate the children who first performed it in a concentration camp in Terezin. Krása later died at Auschwitz.
So who are all these opera-loving children? “Most of them are from Prague,” says Jiøina, “but lately a few have joined from further afield as well. Their parents bring them for every rehearsal, wait while they are rehearsing and then take them home again. I really admire that.
“The hardest thing about working with children is stopping them from talking to each other all the time. They love being together and chatting but they don’t realise how much is disturbs rehearsals. But I take care to keep them in order – anyone who swears has to do knee bends as a punishment!
“But other than that I can’t really complain about anything. We try to work as a big family and enjoy both rehearsals and performances – although the older children sometimes need to learn to be a bit nicer to the younger ones. I love how spontaneous kids are – they always show what they like and don’t like. They are still at an age where their personality is being formed – 65 little people who are getting ready to enter the world of adults and we have got the chance to help them on their way. To help them find their ‘I’.’”
Children are accepted into the opera year-round. For the audition the youngsters are invited to sing a song, recite a poem and act out a short piece. There is a separate class for the under-eights, where they are helped to prepare. “They are always very nervous when it comes to audition time,” says Jiøina. “We can only take a new child when a place comes up and they are all so keen to join.
“It is also very interesting to see how their voices change during puberty – you never know what you are going to end up with! As a child grows their voice develops and changes – you can’t tell what kind of singer someone is really going to be until they are at least 13,” observes Jiøina. Several members of the Children’s Opera have gone on to become successful soloists.
Isabelle, 16, who has been with the opera for a year, says: “I love going to the Children’s Opera. I love singing and it is amazing feeling being on stage. The audience is happy and we are happy.”
For more details about The Children’s Opera, visit www.detskaoperapraha.cz, where CDs are available to buy
