Composer: Lazar Đorđević
Libretto: Aleksa Ršumović
Cast:
Narrator: Filip Stankovski
Srna and Cloud: Marija Mitić Vasić
Blond Girl: Mina Nikolić
Kabar: Milan Obradović
Ibrahim Baja: Tamaš Kiš
Rafajlo: Ivan Golubović
Neur I: Stefan Savić
Neur II: Matija Arnautović
Orchestra:
Jovana Mijin, violin
Angelina Živković, cello
Jovan Živčić, clarinet
Marko Bogdanović, piano
Children of Bestragija is a magical opera for children inspired by the book of the same name by Uroš Petrović, with music by Lazar Đorđević and a libretto by Aleksa Ršumović. In this chamber, concert version with a smaller instrumental ensemble, selected parts of the opera will be performed, bringing the imagination, humor and mysterious spirit of Bestragija, as well as a message about friendship, unity, and the courage to seek answers to every riddle together.
Uroš Petrović was born in 1967 in Gornji Milanovac and has lived and worked in Belgrade since 1975. He is one of the most important contemporary Serbian authors for children, known for inspiring creative thinking, curiosity, and problem-solving through his books. His works, such as the novel Children of Bestragija, combine imaginative stories with profound messages that motivate young readers. Petrović decided to offer his novel for the creation of this opera because he believes in the power of art to bring literature closer to children through music and stage expression, creating a unique, educational, and emotional experience that enriches their perception of the world. He is the recipient of the Golden Badge of the Cultural and Educational Community of Serbia for his contribution to culture, as well as several other awards, including the 2011 Zmaj Children’s Games Award for his contribution to contemporary children’s literature. Each of his encounters with readers—both in Serbia and abroad—is a blend of literary event, creative workshop, and theatrical performance, an artistic–intellectual experience that always unfolds in an interactive atmosphere and remains long remembered.
A co-author of the “NTC Learning System” program, he frequently lectures in schools and universities in Serbia and abroad. His articles and photographs are published in numerous magazines worldwide. He has received some of the most prestigious photography awards and is the founder of the Mensa World Photo Cup, a global photography competition. He is also one of the most successful solvers of the IQ X test in the world.
Lazar Đorđević – Composer
Born in 1992 in Kragujevac, he began studying composition in 2010 at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade in the class of Professor Zoran Erić, where he completed his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral studies. He further developed his work at international composition workshops with renowned composers such as Peter Ablinger, Vinko Globokar, and others. His compositions have been performed at many festivals in Serbia and abroad, including Rostrum, the Composers’ Tribune, and Rosifest. He has collaborated with notable ensembles such as the RTS Symphony Orchestra and the Metamorfosis ensemble. He is the recipient of several awards, including First Prize at the International Accordion Festival “Eufonija” in 2016 for the piece Once I Heard Somewhere…, as well as awards from the Stevan Hristić and Josip Slavenski funds. He is the author of the first Serbian concerto for accordion and orchestra, premiered in 2017 in Novi Sad. He is currently employed as an assistant at the Department of Composition at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade.
Aleksa Ršumović – Librettist
Aleksa Ršumović is a Serbian writer and screenwriter, known for his work on films and TV series such as: Radio Mileva (five episodes, 2024/25), Golden Boy (five episodes, 2022 + feature film), The Mold (four episodes, 2020), Pension Europe (five episodes), Truths and Lies (six episodes, 2017), Andrija and Anđelka (110 episodes, 2015).