Have you ever heard a story where love, mystery, and music intertwine into one unforgettable adventure? The Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra and musicologist Viktoras Gerulaitis invite the whole family to an extraordinary concert — a vibrant journey through Georges Bizet’s beloved suite L’Arlésienne (“The Girl from Arles”), inspired by the timeless novella of Alphonse Daudet.

This moving story will transport you to a sunny town in the South of France, where the beauty of the Provençal landscape contrasts with the heartache of an unhappy love. There, a farmer’s son Young Frédéric loses his heart to a mysterious and enchanting girl from the city of Arles – the beautiful Arlésienne, also known as ‘The Girl from Arles.” But love, as it turns out, is never that simple. Frédéric discovers that his beloved may be unfaithful. His family tries to comfort him, but his heart is torn by a whirlwind of emotions – from tender hope to devastating despair.

At the concert, this captivating story comes alive – not only through words, but also through the power of music. Bizet’s score is remarkably pictorial — from gentle, sweeping melodies and energetic dances to the infectious joy of a rustic village celebration. Like a painter’s brush, the music brings each scene to life — the golden fields of Provence, the ache of a mysterious love, and the exuberant spirit of a village in celebration. It is no wonder why this suite is considered one of Bizet’s most brilliant orchestral works, alongside his famous opera Carmen.

The concert promises a musical journey for the youngest listeners, and a chance for parents to fall in love with classical music all over again. This is a wonderful chance to share the music together, lose yourselves in the story, and ask: who truly is this mysterious Girl from Arles?

Concert duration: 45 minutes. Recommended for school-age children and their families.