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individuals process their own emotional landscapes, fostering resilience and
glasbenopedagoški zbornik ◆ letnik/volume 20 ◆ številka/number 41
emotional intelligence.
Engagement with youth operas stimulates cognitive development by ig-
niting curiosity and encouraging creativity. The complexity of operatic nar-
ratives and the richness of musical composition challenge young audiences to
think critically and imaginatively. Research by Dullea (2019) suggests that par-
ticipation in the arts enhances cognitive flexibility and problem-solving skills,
as children learn to navigate the intricate interplay of story, character, and mu-
sic. This creative engagement not only supports cognitive development but also
nurtures a lifelong love for the arts.
Youth operas also play a significant role in enhancing social skills, iden-
tity exploration, and inclusivity. Collaborative performance fosters a sense of
belonging and community among participants, as they work together toward
a common goal. According to Vygotsky’s (1978) social development theory,
social interaction is fundamental to cognitive development, and collaborati-
ve artistic endeavours provide rich contexts for peer engagement. Furthermo-
re, participation in youth operas encourages exploration of diverse identities
and perspectives, promoting empathy and cultural understanding among you-
ng individuals (Burrack & Matlas, 2006; Denac, 2002).
These benefits underscore the importance of integrating youth opera into
educational and community settings, as they contribute significantly to the
holistic development of young individuals (Kovačič, 2019). Further research
and practice in this area are essential to fully realize the transformative poten-
tial of youth operas in fostering well-rounded, emotionally resilient, and soci-
ally engaged future generations.

The description of the opera Kekec in škrat Skovik

The youth opera Kekec in škrat Skovik was created by composer Tomaž Habe
and librettist Milan Dekleva. The story takes place at the time of the winter
solstice, when, according to the beliefs of our ancient peoples, the cycle of life
ends, and a new one begins. The villagers celebrate this miraculous turn of na-
ture, which works in perfect harmony and balance. People should follow and
respect this transformation of nature. The story follows the original idea, but it
has been modernized. We have the mischievous Kekec who helps everyone, the
blind Mojca who hopes for a cure for blindness, and the clumsy and cowardly
Rožle. At the centre of the action is the Bedanec, who scares the children, ki-
dnaps Mojca and has no respect for nature. He believes that the girl will be sa-
ved by Kosobrin, and that he himself will be able to get his hands on the he-
aling eye drops. He would make a fortune from them and invest the money
in a Swiss bank. Here we see the corrupt mentality of today's mad world, but
also the loneliness of this impoverished man. His opposite is Kosobrin, who is

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