54 children and young people from Madagascar will premiere the opera The Dream of Nirina this Friday, September 25, at the Municipal Centre La Esfera in Alcobendas, which will raise funds for educational projects in Tulear.
The opera The Dream of Nirina, starring 54 children and young people from Madagascar, kicks off its tour of Spain this Friday, September 25. The first performance will be at 19:00 hours at the Municipal Centre La Esfera in Alcobendas, as reported by diario.infoperiodistas.info. The show, driven by the Agua de Coco Foundation and Opera Without Borders, will then travel to Madrid, Granada, and Valencia.
The work originated in Tulear, in southern Madagascar, based on the experiences of the young performers themselves. Through music, singing, and dance, it addresses issues such as school dropout, gender inequality, child marriage, exploitation, and the effects of climate change. The creative process lasted three years and resulted in Ny Nofin'i Nirina, its original title, which premiered worldwide in Tulear in September 2024 and attracted over 8,000 spectators in various cities across the country, according to the organisation.
It is an opportunity to tell and share the daily reality of our girls in Spain,” explains Vola, a member of the Malagasy cast.
In the performances in Alcobendas and Madrid, the young Malagasy will share the stage with the Choir of Brains International School in Alcobendas, the choir of the Barró Association of Madrid, and the Orchestra of The Music of Recycling. The production lasts 70 minutes and features original music by Juan Antonio Simarro in collaboration with Malagasy musician Kilema. The libretto is by Lucía Vilanova, and the stage direction is by Paco Azorín and Carlos Martos.
For Martos, vice president and stage director of Opera Without Borders, developing the project has been “the greatest challenge and professional growth” of his career. The director highlights the opportunity to provide young people with tools to overcome their circumstances and work on their roots and future.
The initiative has also involved the CIFP José Luis Garci de Alcobendas. The Malagasy cast met with students from the centre, and the students will participate in the audiovisual coverage and promotion of the tour.
The proceeds from the performances will go to the CASEM, the Socio-Educational and Musical Reception Centre in Tulear, promoted by the Agua de Coco Foundation and its sister organisation in Madagascar, ONG Bel Avenir. The centre serves over 600 children and young people and provides them with a safe space after school, educational support, and artistic and sports training.
The funds will help pay for school scholarships but, above all, to support these young people so they can have a much better social and educational life than they currently have,” explains José Luis Guirao, president of the Agua de Coco Foundation.
The organisation has been working for nearly three decades in Madagascar and other countries through education, child protection, nutrition, training, culture, and social support programmes.
After the premiere in Alcobendas, the tour will continue in Madrid, Granada, and Valencia. Tickets for the performance this Friday at the Municipal Centre La Esfera can be purchased through the organisation's usual channels.
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