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El Liceu turns the opera Aida into a video game for children in Barcelona
Digital pyramids, classical and modern music, and a heroine who leaps from the screen to the stage. This is the new children's version of Aida at el Liceu, which will only be performed three times this October due to the education conflict.
A classic opera turned into a video game? In Barcelona, yes. El Liceu has decided to break the mould with La Jove Aida, a children’s version of Verdi’s famous work where the main character not only sings, but also competes in digital challenges and ends up literally inside the original story.
In this production, Egyptian pyramids and war chariots appear in digital form, blending traditional stage design with elements straight out of a video game. The music keeps pace: Verdi’s classical melodies alternate with contemporary rhythms, creating a show that jumps between centuries in a matter of seconds.
Only three performances and tickets at €10
Anyone wanting to see this pixelated Aida will have to be quick. The show will only be performed three times: on 3, 4, and 11 October. Tickets cost 10 euros, a more than reasonable price for an experience that promises to surprise both children and adults.
The reason for this limited schedule isn’t artistic, but practical. The conflict in the education sector and the cancellation of school outings have forced El Liceu to drastically reduce the number of performances planned for this season. So, if you were thinking of going with your school, this year you’ll need to find an alternative plan.
Opera, video games and Barcelona for families
El Liceu’s commitment to bringing opera closer to younger audiences isn’t new, but it has rarely dared to mix it so directly with the gamer universe. The idea is reminiscent of other recent family initiatives in the city, such as the Imagina’t children’s centre in La Marina, which we mentioned recently.
In both cases, the key is adapting classical culture and Barcelona’s iconic venues to the interests and languages of new generations. And, as we’ve seen, the formula works: neither opera nor video games have an age limit when the story is told well.
When and where?
Dates: 3, 4 and 11 October 2026 Venue: Liceu, Barcelona Tickets: 10 euros
Don’t expect a long season: this year, Barcelona’s most digital Aida will be as fleeting as a bonus on screen. But for those who manage to get a ticket, the experience promises to be as unexpected as it is fun. El Liceu shows that, even in times of cutbacks and conflict, creativity still finds its place in the city.