The europera project brings together more than 200 talented, young and musicians from Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic. It is made up of a symphonic orchestra, a choir and a few chamber ensembles.
The europera project provides young musicians with the opportunity to make music together and experience the atmosphere of rehearsals and concerts under the baton of a professional conductor. Through this project, they meet peers from their neighbouring countries and learn about their culture. It is a wonderful example how these nations, who have had a troubled history, can overcome these difficulties by co-operating on such a project.
The europera project was founded by Professor Wolf-Dieter Ludwig, the then Director of the Theatre of Görlitz , in 1992. The word "europera" was formed by connecting two words - europa (Europe) and opera (from Latin: the plural form of opus). In other words, it helps build and form Europe by means of cultural activities.
Since 2003, the project has had as its patron the non-profit organisation Euroregionales Kulturzentrum St. Johannis Zittau under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Peter Dierich.
The symphonic orchestra europera jugendorchester has existed since 1992. It came into being mainly thanks to the support of primary music schools in the Neisse Euroregion. Since 2004, its Art Director has been Miloš Krejčí. Under his leadership, the orchestra has attracted the interest of the public on many occasions. On 1st May 2004, the orchestra performed a concert in Zittau as part of the celebrations marking the entry of the Czech Republic and Poland into the European Union. They have also played in a host of different countries, for example at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, Belgium, various international music festivals in the UK, France and Italy as well as at the Rudolfinum Hall in Prague, the Czech Republic, the Radio Hall in Wroclaw, Poland, and the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, Germany.
The choir europera jugendchor was founded in 2006. It consists of high school choirs and similar groups throughout the Neisse Euroregion, as well as individual singers from Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic. The choir and the orchestra create a unique sound and experience when they perform vocal-symphonic pieces such as Ludwig van Beethoven's Choral Fantasy, Carl Orff's Carmina Burana or Axion Esti by Mikis Theodorakis.
The europera project has received many awards, for example the Neisse Euroregion 2008 Prize and various awards in competitions Concerto Bohemia and Germany-the Country of Innovative Ideas.
The europera project is financially supported by means of
- public funds: European funds: Interreg and Cíl 3, Sächsische Kulturstiftung, Kulturraum Oberlausitz/Niederschlesien, the City of Liberec, the City of Zittau
- sponsoring: SIEMENS Turbinenwerk Görlitz, Sparkasse Oberlausitz/Niederschlesien, the Public Services of Zittau
- its own fund, which is financed by the club of friends of europera (Raiffeisen Bank, account number: 4106690001, bank code: 5500, IBAN: CZ64 5500 0000 0041 0669 0001, SWIFT: RZBCCZPP).
HOW THE PROJECT WORKS
A new concert season usually starts with a ten-day long workshop in October, during which a new repertoire is practised. In addition to the main orchestra rehearsals, sectional rehearsals are held, too. They are lead by a professional conductor, who is helped by a few carefully chosen lecturers from Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic. This workshop is usually followed by concerts in Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany.
Another part of each concert season starts in February. The repertoire is further practised and performed in at least three concerts.
Every concert season is finished by a series of summer concerts.
There are usually even more concerts during a season; they can be either held on special occasions or based on invitation by various organisations.