show category: opera gala

“Va, pensiero” – Opera Gala Celebrating Babeș-Bolyai University Day
UBB and the Romanian National Opera in Cluj-Napoca jointly celebrate 107 years since the inaugural lecture of the Romanian University in Cluj

Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca (UBB) marks the 107th anniversary of the inaugural lecture of the Romanian University in Cluj, “The Duty of Our Life” (Datoria vieții noastre), delivered by Professor Vasile Pârvan on 3 November 1919. This year, the anniversary is celebrated with the opera gala “Va, pensiero”, organised by UBB Cultural (provided by Mobexpert) in partnership with the Romanian National Opera in Cluj-Napoca, on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, at 6:30 p.m., on the stage of the Cluj Opera House.

The Choir and Orchestra of the Romanian National Opera in Cluj-Napoca, conducted by Tiberiu Soare, will be joined by soprano Apollónia Egyed, tenor Marius Vlad Budoiu, baritone Florin Estefan, and bass Petre Burcă.

The Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from Nabucco, known by its opening words, “Va, pensiero”, was first heard at Teatro alla Scala in Milan in 1842. Its evocation of thoughts soaring towards a lost homeland soon came to be regarded as an unofficial anthem of freedom and the dignity of a community. By choosing this title, UBB pays tribute to the ideas of belonging and remembrance, to those who laid the foundations of the Romanian university in Cluj, and to the values of academic freedom.

The event will be performed without an interval and is expected to end at approximately 8:30 p.m.

Recommended age: 7+