Gullivers Reise

Libretto by John von Düffel, freely based on motives from Jonathan Swift's novel (G)

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During a storm, young Gulliver is shipwrecked and, as the only survivor, washed up unconscious on the beach of Lilliput. When he gains consciousness, he does not believe his eyes: the inhabitants of Lilliput are very small, just about the size of his hand. In fear of the stranded giant, the Lilliputians would prefer to kill Gulliver. Only the wise Vaniliput, who recognizes the peacefulness of the castaway, succeeds in dissuading her fellow citizens from this undertaking. At the latest when Gulliver drives off the enemy fleet from the neighboring island, the locals are convinced of his good intentions and his solidarity.
However, even though Gulliver finds a good friend in Vaniliput and wins the trust of many Lilliputians, he does not just make friends with his diplomatic negotiating skills. The powerful Admiral Skyresch waits only for a favorable moment to harm Gulliver. Things get really precarious when the royal palace catches fire, and Gulliver can only extinguish the flames with the contents of his bladder. Inflamed with rage, the inhabitants of the island haul him before the court. Will his good will be his downfall after all?

Poetic