[1]Hans Krása
BRUNDIBÁR
Book & Buy Tickets [2]Gala premiere of the opera Brundibár and celebration of 10 years of the Music of Hope program.
The opera Brundibár by Czech composer Hans Krása, one of the most frequently performed children's operas on the repertoires of leading European opera houses, had its Serbian premiere on 9th February 2026 at the Madlenianum, as part of the ceremonial celebration of 10 years of the Music of Hope program. This event represented a unique blend of top-tier artistry, education and social responsibility, taking a special place on the domestic cultural scene.
Although short in form, Brundibár carries a powerful and universal message - about solidarity, civic courage and resistance to injustice. It is a work that speaks equally strongly to children and adults, to art and society, reminding us that change only happens when individual voices join together.
Under the artistic direction of Marijana Mijanovic (Prangins Baroque, Switzerland), directed by Aleksandar Nikolic, under the conducting baton od Milan Nedeljkovic and featuring the baritone soloist Vladimir Andric, the opera Brundibár brought together an exceptional artistic team and more than 70 children, guiding them through the professional process of creating an artistic work that not only did shape them as performers but also left a lasting personal and social impact.
At the heart of the story are a brother and sister, Jovica and Anica, who, driven by concern for their ill mother, enter into a fight against the tyranny of the evil organ-grinder Brundibár. Their victory becomes possible only when they join forces with others. Brundibár is a story about the weaker ones who triumph through solidarity, about children whose voice, initially quiet and suppressed, becomes powerful when it merges with the voices of others.
Just like the opera's protagonists, the children from the Music of Hope program – many of whom come from socially disadvantaged and minority communities – learned that their voices matter. On the stage of the Madlenianum, they joined forces with their peers from partner schools, professional musicians and program alumni, creating a performance that grew from trust, discipline and togetherness. Through the lens of this opera, Music of Hope has presented itself to the audience as a program that shapes not only musicians but nurtures empowered young people ready to collaborate, take responsibility and believe in change.
The Music of Hope program, developed within the MAP – Music Art Project initiative, is based on the principles of the El Sistema approach, a model of collective music-making that fosters discipline, teamwork and prosocial behaviour, and in our context, it becomes a powerful tool for inclusion and educational success. Since 2015 to the present day, the program has been implemented in 11 cities in Serbia, involving more than 2.800 children and young people, while over 500 teachers have undergone accredited training in the program's philosophy and methodology. Through more than 100 concerts, camps, and public productions, the lives of over 6.000 members of local communities – families, teachers, and fellow citizens – have been enriched by a positive experience, thus naturally extending the program's impact beyond the classroom and the stage.
In 2025, Music of Hope received the European Commission Award for Roma Integration in the Western Balkans and Turkey. Its continuous development is supported by an ongoing psychological study within the "Orchestrating Diversity" project, supported by the Intesa Foundation, which examines socio-emotional outcomes in children – self-confidence, focus, creativity, sense of belonging and overall well-being.
The event was humanitarian in nature. Early bird donor tickets were available in limited numbers and all proceeds were dedicated to the continuation of music education and the development of children from disadvantaged backgrounds through the Music of Hope program.
The mission of the Music of Hope program is to empower young people through music and collective music-making to develop knowledge, self-confidence and responsibility, and to become drivers of change in their communities.
Its vision is a world where every child has access to music that transforms lives, erases barriers, builds inclusive communities and young leaders.
Photographs: Ivana Todorovic
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