End-of-year operetta of the Brussels Operetta Theater reaches 16 Brussels residential care centers and 2 service centers
Thursday, December 23, 2021 — On 23 December, the Brussels Operetta Theater will perform its traditional end-of-year operetta at the Kaaitheater from 2.30 pm to 4 pm. This year it is Frans Lehár's 'Paganini'. Thanks to a live stream by the Flemish Community Commission, seniors from 10 Brussels residential care centers and two local service centers can participate. Another 6 other residential care centers will show the performance at a later date.
Christmas present from Paspartoe
For several years now, 'Paspartoe', the Brussels leisure pass of the Flemish Community Commission, has been offering a free operetta performance around the Christmas period for seniors, the less mobile and people in vulnerable situations. Due to the current corona measures, this is only possible for a maximum of 200 people in the room. However, unlimited live streaming is possible. This year the operetta 'Paganini' will be streamed.
Culture in residential care centers and service centers
The Christmas opera is part of a broader cultural program for seniors in residential care centers and local service centers. Earlier this season, the seniors could already watch the World Choir Games and a humorous program in Flemish and French-Brussels by the non-profit organization Brusseleir. This spring will include 'Sing', an interactive classical concert for all ages with the Belgian National Orchestra from Bozar.
"Now, especially, it is very important that less mobile and socially isolated residents of Brussels also get a sense of warmth and have access to culture," says Pascal Smet board member for Culture, Youth and Sport. "We wish everyone that is watching a pleasant viewing experience full of humor and emotion, and we look forward to reaching as many of you as possible."
Behind this live streaming in the Kaaitheater lies a broad partnership. The Flemish Community Commission, together with the Brussels Elderly Platform (BOp) and the 22 community centers, supports all participating residential care centers and local service centers. The partners offer technical assistance, give tips to create a theater atmosphere, produce promotional material and tickets for the show; they do everything in their means to make the cultural experience of the participants as impressive as possible.
Experience culture from your seat
The performance can also be viewed live by the public via a link on the website. If you just want to watch from home, set up on Thursday December 23 in your softest seat between 2.30 pm and 4 pm and go to https://vimeo.com/event/1665963.
'Nicolo Paganini (1782-1840) was a myth in his day. A musical genius, with a passion for women and gambling. His violin playing was so perfect that contemporaries speculated about affiliations with the devil. And then there's his romance, whether it be fictional or non-fictional, with Princess Anna Elisa, Napoleon's art-loving sister. This perticular performance does not set the story at the end of the 19th century, but in the 1930s in Italy. Paganini is the story of the irresistible fascination that emanates from the virtuoso. Enchanted by his passionate violin playing, Elisa succumbs to his charm.'