First meeting with students in Modena: moving forward to the creation of Sustainable Opera

September 28th, 2023

In Modena, Project Butterfly has recently initiated its collaboration with an Italian school, with the goal of creating a sustainable opera in collaboration with students. This initial meeting served as the first step of the collaboration of Project Butterfly with schools in Italy in order to promote a union between art and sustainability.

Project Butterfly has entered in its “Sustainability and Opera Workshops in School” phase, conducting meetings not only in Italy but also in Poland and Finland thanks to the cooperation and support of the environmental agency AESS. While Project Butterfly’s collaboration with the Italian school is taking shape at the Pavarotti-Freni Municipal Theater, in Poland it will occur through the partnership with Opera Baltycka, and in Finland, with the support of Opera Box.

On the 20th of September, they all gathered to witness the dress rehearsal of the first opera of the season, “L’Elisir d’Amore” written by Gaetano Donizetti, which has been reimagined under the direction of Stefania Panighini. This new interpretation takes into consideration current social themes and prominent figures. As an example of this contemporary reimagining of the opera, the main character, Adina, has been loosely inspired by the iconic climate activist Greta Thunberg.

Throughout the day, a pivotal role was played by Alessandro Roveri, the project coordinator. He provided students with insights into the historical significance and functions of the theater space, while also taking the opportunity to delve into the production system of an opera. In doing so, Alessandro Roveri laid the foundation for the students to initiate their innovative endeavor.

This reimagining of the opera not only provides students with the opportunity to discuss and express their concerns and aspirations for a sustainable future but also aims to inspire audiences. The journey of co-creating a sustainable opera is supported by the dedication and hopes of several individuals who envision that this new project will pave the way for a brighter and more conscious world. Further meetings and workshops with students will be held in the near future, progressing step by step toward the fulfillment of this project.