Family Concert Series - "Carnival of the Animals"

"Carnival of the Animals" is a ballet performance for children, based on Camille Saint-Saëns' suite. It will be presented by the ballet dancers of Teatru Wielkiego w Łodzi as part of the family series "Niedzielne poranki" (Sunday Mornings). The music depicts how a dignified lion sounds, chirping birds, an elephant, shimmering fish, and a noble swan, and whether the slowness of a tortoise can be conveyed in sounds. The composer showed the characteristics of animals in it, though not only animals, as one of the miniatures is titled "Pianists." Despite the humor that abounds in the work, Saint-Saëns forbade its complete performance during his lifetime. As a serious composer who gave his first concert at age five and began studies at the Paris Conservatory at age 13, he did not want to be associated with the "zoological fantasy," as he himself called this work. However, fate played a joke on the author: it is precisely "The Swan" and "The Elephant" from "Carnival of the Animals" that come to mind today at the sound of his name. The performance is prepared in a cheerful manner, with entire families in mind. The answer to the question of what animals play the piano awaits the audience.