A musical adventure: The story of Babar the elephant
Concert in the Ambrosia Tønnesen Exhibition
Join us for a Musical Adventure in the Ambrosia Exhibition!
Experience the timeless tale of Babar the Elephant, brought to life through words and music. In this special family concert, the story of Babar is read aloud, accompanied by the evocative piano music of French composer Francis Poulenc. A magical experience for curious souls, both young and old!
About the Concert:
The little elephant Babar lives a peaceful life in the jungle—until a dramatic escape from a hunter leads him to the city. Fascinated by everything new he discovers—buildings, cars, and people—Babar buys himself a suit, learns to drive, and embraces city life. But where does Babar truly belong?
The Babar books have delighted generations of readers ever since the first story was published in 1931, becoming an immediate success. This beautiful tale later found its musical voice through the French composer Francis Poulenc (1899–1963), who brought The Story of Babar to life with music in 1940, inspired by an unexpected challenge from his young relatives.
The children in Poulenc's family grew bored of his piano playing and handed him the Story of Babar, asking him to create music for it instead. What began as a playful improvisation soon evolved into one of Poulenc's most beloved compositions, first performed on radio in 1946 and dedicated to the children who inspired it.
In this special performance, you will experience The Story of Babar brought to life by music educator Maike Aarebrot Flick and pianist Knut Christian Jansson. Together, they invite you into Babar's world—through words, music, and an extra dose of charm.
A heartwarming and musical experience for the whole family—welcome!