The Novel of the Year as a Dramatic Form; “Children”, an Opera in 17 Songs Based on the Novel of Milena Marković and Directed by and to the Music of Irena Popović Premiered on the Main Stage

The production "Children", based on the lyrics of the novel of the same name written by Milena Marković, this year's winner of the prestigious NIN Award for the Best Novel of the Year, directed by and to the music of Irena Popović, premiered on Saturday, October 8, on the Main Stage.

This production, as an unusual stage combination of music and poetry, in a completely new stage form - an opera consisting of 17 songs, transforms Milena's poetry into musical movement and voice, proving that poetry is the closest thing to music with its rhythm and emotion.

The cast members of the play, which is also the first premiere of the National Theatre in Belgrade in this season, are Nela Mihailović, Suzana Lukić, Predrag Miletić, Vanja Milačić, Pavle Jerinić, Milena Đorđević, Bojana Stefanović, Bojana Bambić, Dragana Varagić, Aleksandar Vučković, Miona Marković, Teodora Sparavalo, Jelena Blagojević and Vladan Matović.

They were accompanied by singers Tamara Mitrović, Iskra Sretović and Marko Kostić, the chamber orchestra members: Nikola Dragović, Ivan Mirković, Aleksandar Jovan Krstić, Vladimir Gurbaj, Luka Sparavalo, Aleksandra Kijanović, Pavle Rakočević, Aleksandar Petrović, Vid Milošević, Tina Miladinović and the Children's Choir "Nade", led by Biljana Simenović.

The author's team consists of Dimitrije Kokanov (dramaturge/libretto), Jelena Novak (music dramaturge), Igor Koruga (choreographer), Miraš Vuksanović (set designer), Selena Orb (costume designer) and Ljiljana Mrkić Popović (stage speech).

The thrilled audience awarded the performers at the end of the show with several-minute standing ovations shouting “bravo”.

The first and second rerun will be held on October 13 and 30.

If you want to read more about the play click HERE.