show category: opera

OPERA APERTA INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL 2026

The Romanian National Opera Cluj-Napoca & The Ambassador Children’s Musical Theatre invite you to discover a captivating reinterpretation of the classic fairy tale One born from a tear (Făt Frumos din Lacrimă) by Mihai Eminescu, reimagined in the dynamic rhythms of rock opera.

One born from a tear is Romania’s first modern rock opera, composed by Dan Spînu, with a libretto adapted by Ramona Cojocaru and Sabina Ciocîrlie after Eminescu’s original tale. Since its premiere in 2014, the work has stood out through its remarkable stylistic fusion—rarely encountered in the Romanian musical landscape—between pop-rock energy and the expressive language of Romantic and Impressionist opera.

For the first time in a decade of successful performances—previously presented with an English libretto— One born from a tear will now be performed in Romanian, on the stage of the Romanian National Opera Cluj-Napoca, as part of the International Opera Aperta Festival.

Audiences will discover a story shaped by complex characters, moving beyond the familiar stereotypes of fairy tales (the flawless hero, the passive, waiting heroine), unfolding instead like a modern historical film, enriched with subtle touches of humor. Alongside the symphonic orchestra and mixed choir, the performance brings together a rock band and a cast of nine soloists performing in a pop/rock style. The composer envisioned a musical language that balances the sophistication of the operatic stage with the accessibility of pop-rock genres, through memorable melodic lines while maintaining a high level of vocal performance.

Recommended age: 7+