Work of the Week - Christian Jost: Mikropolis
It's strange for an animal to play the lead role in an Opera—but it is exactly the premise on which Christian Jost has based his new work, Mikropolis: The Insect Opera. On October 30th, 2011, this children’s opera will be premiered at the Komische Oper Berlin with the composer conducting. The opera is based on a libretto by Michael Frowin.
Life in a city is never boring. It's always exciting, and not only for humans. Annabelle the ant, Natalie the spider, Kung the ladybug from China, the Greek housefly Kostas and Erdal the gadfly from Turkey enjoy their life in Mikropolis, the city in which they live. Apparently there's nothing missing, until Gesine the cricket appears. Wistfully, she tells them about her home in a beautiful meadow in the countryside. Gesine’s story inspires the other insects to visit the countryside. Natalie and Annabelle make plans to visit this beautiful place but Kostas, Kung and Erdal are reluctant. They put Gesine in a huge leaf blower, terrifying Natalie and Annabelle.
Natalie and Annabelle convince the others to work together to save the poor cricket. Eventually Gesine is freed and, with the help of her new insect friends, is able to return to her beloved meadow. The city insects enjoy their brief visit to the countryside with Gesine, but are happy to return to their exciting lives in the city.
The story of seven insects from the big city that experience new adventures – almost in the style of a road-trip movie – will hopefully awaken a love of opera in numerous young members of the audience. Christian Jost
Mikropolis will see ten performances, until 18 February 2012, at the Komische Oper Berlin. A picture book with the same title, illustrated by Joëlle Tourlonias, has been published by Jacoby & Stuart publishers.
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