Laika the Spacedog

About

The NOF season starts with an opera for the young audience, namely with Laika, the space dog. Composed in 2013 by Russell Hepplewhite (composition) and Tim Zealand (libretto), this opera is being performed for the first time in Switzerland. The opera tells the story of the first creature to be sent into space. Laika, the dog first found in Gorky Park in Moscow and then launched into space, becomes an icon of contemporary history. The opera was originally intended to be performed in UK schools. Her success was so enormous that the major opera houses in Europe clamored for her. An opera composed especially for children is rare. The Laika opera is uniquely characterized by its interactive, didactic and wonderful universe.