Taking 'Opera Children's Cafeteria' Nationwide: A New Cultural Model Spreading Through 10 'Hansel and Gretel' Performances and Educational Collaboration

Nikikai BLOC Pocket Opera endorses April Dream, a day to share dreams on April 1st. This press release is the dream of 'Nikikai BLOC Pocket Opera'.

Nikikai BLOC Pocket Opera (Representative: Mari Tomita) is a social contribution group formed in April 2017 by opera singers belonging to the Tokyo Nikikai Opera Theatre. With the concept of 'Opera in Your Pocket,' we have been delivering high-quality performances in accessible places to promote musical arts, especially small-scale opera, in local communities.

A Continuing Dream: 'Opera Children's Cafeteria'

Every year through April Dream, we have promoted one dream.

That is,

**To expand the 'Opera Children's Cafeteria' across Japan.**

Like a children's cafeteria (Kodomo Shokudo), it's a place where anyone can casually drop by, encounter music, connect with people, and feel fulfilled. We aim for a society where opera is not something 'special' but a part of everyday culture.

The Goal and Practice of 10 Nationwide 'Hansel and Gretel' Performances

As a concrete step towards this realization, we have set a goal to perform our **original Japanese-lyric opera 'Hansel and Gretel' 10 times nationwide.**

This work was developed with: - Japanese lyrics that are easy for children to understand - A structure that allows for performance even in a small-scale format - Content suitable for schools and local communities

It is a repertoire that has been reconfigured to be deliverable to any region without losing the charm of opera, and we continue to perform it in various locations.

Achievements Seen from Collaboration with Educational Institutions

In fiscal year 2025, we collaborated with the **Center for Arts and Athletic Education (CAAAE) at Tokyo Gakugei University** and **Tsuji Culinary Institute, Tokyo,** to conduct workshops and performances of the opera 'Hansel and Gretel' within the educational field. This was a first for us.

Through this initiative, we have seen outcomes such as: - Creation of musical experiences where children participate proactively - The potential for new practical models through collaboration between education and the arts - The possibility of a sustainable system connecting arts and education - The development of a younger generation of educators and musicians

This is not just a performance, but an **initiative that has the aspect of 'creating relationships' through culture**, and it is also a **practice of 'co-creation' that connects community, education, and the arts.**

After the performance, we held a social gathering with the participating children and their parents, the cast, and our staff from Tokyo Gakugei University. The children helped with preparations and left this message on the whiteboard.

An Audience Member Who Was a Baby Becomes a Co-star 7 Years Later

Since 2009, our representative, Tomita, has been working with the Mitaka City Midwives' Association and the Mitaka City Council of Social Welfare to support expecting families and those with newborns.