The 10 + 1 Strings of Captain Ud

About

The 10 + 1 Strings of Captain Ud is a youth opera designed for audiences aged 6 and older, structured around the literary motif of the adventurous hero's journey. Drawing thematic inspiration from classical epics such as Homer's Odyssey and Ibn Battuta's Rihla, the production blends mythology, history, and fantasy to explore themes of openness to the unknown. The staging is a collaborative effort between the Dutch National Opera and the Amsterdams Andalusisch Orkest (AAO). This partnership builds upon their shared mission to bridge different musical worlds, following previous collaborations like the Radio Caïro mini-festival (2024) and the production Oum – A Son's Quest for His Mother (2025). The libretto, written by Dutch Poet Laureate Nisrine Mbarki Ben Ayad, incorporates multiple languages alongside Dutch to reflect the diverse cultural encounters depicted in the narrative.