As part of the Fenice Education project – dedicated, in particular, to the public of schools, the younger generation and families – we have the world première at the Malibran Theatre of Piccolo Orso e la montagna di ghiaccio [The little Bear and the ice Mountain], the new ecologically-minded work, created by the composer Giovanni Sollima – known to the public for his ‘green’ commitment, as well as for his curiosity, which pushes him to explore new expressive frontiers contaminating different genres – together with Giancarlo De Cataldo, the former magistrate turned author who penned the libretto. This artistic partnership is returning to Teatro La Fenice after its success with Acquaprofonda – another opera focussing on environmental protection –, and winner of the Premio Filippo Siebaneck. Based on solid scientific documentation, the authors’ aim is to raise awareness among young people about the inescapable problem of glacier melting; the libretto and the staging have been developed in accordance, envisaging the use of certified, recycled or reusable materials. The new opera is also a contribution to the initiatives undertaken by the UN in this regard – the celebration, in 2025, of the International Year for the Conservation of Glaciers and, starting from 21 March of the same year, of World Glacier Day – as well as those of the Cultural Olympics of Milan Cortina 2026.

Little Bear and the Ice Mountain (Fenice Education)

Teatro Malibran

Two young polar bears, Little Bear and Little Bear, embark on an epic journey in search of food and a way home in an Arctic in crisis due to global warming. During a fishing trip, Little Bear is separated from her brother due to melting ice. Desperate, Little Bear meets Snow Eater, an enigmatic salesman who promises to help him, but has dark ulterior motives: he wants to turn the glacial kingdom into a playground called Frostyland. Meanwhile, Little Bear is saved by the Ice Queen, a stern but protective entity who guards the mountain's fragile balance. When Little Bear, tricked by Snow Eater, clashes with the Queen, hidden truths emerge: only the pure singing of the two bears can heal the Ice Mountain, severely wounded by pollution and man's greed. With the help of unlikely allies, including Quantosonofico, a bungling but well-meaning tourist, and the faithful Walrus, the little brothers are reunited. United, they sing to the Mountain, restoring peace and saving their fragile ecosystem. Snow-Eater, defeated, is forced to clean up the damage caused by his greed.

Little Bear And The Ice Mountain

Teatro Sociale

His friends recount that when Puccini finished writing La bohème, he gathered them around the piano to let them hear it. Deeply moved, they exclaimed: this opera is about us, it is us! More than a century has passed, and even today we can say the same: this story speaks of the dreams we whisper to ourselves in the mirror, of the desires and regrets that keep us awake at night, of all the great and small losses we have endured, of the winters and summers of a lifetime. Can we love knowing that one day what we love will no longer be there? How can one go on living when death takes away what is most dear to you? And what remains of those we have loved, of all that immense love?

Giulia Rossena

Events

Upcoming events

18 - 20 Apr, 2027

Little Bear And The Ice Mountain · Fondazione Teatro Donizetti

Apr 18 - May 2, 2027

La bohème, first love · Teatro Regio Torino

Past events

Jan 31 - Feb 1, 2026

Little Bear and the Ice Mountain (Fenice Education) · Teatro La Fenice

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