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Lene fliegt ins Zirkusland
(2024/25)Libretto by Susanne Wolf (G)
1.picc.1.asax.1(=dbn)-1.1.1.1-perc(2)-pft(=cel)-accordion-strings(1.1.1.1.1)
Abbreviations (PDF)
Bote & Bock
Philharmonie, Grand Auditorium, Luxembourg
Anisha Bondy, director
Conductor: James Hendry
Company: Zaltimbanq’ Zirkus / Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg
| Lene, a girl of today | Coloratura soprano |
| Piccomatz Pix, a circus parrot | Tenor |
| Karla Knall, animal trainer | Soprano/Mezzo-soprano |
| Mezzo-soprano Mimi Mim, clown, Karla's deputy | Pantomime artist |
| Manou, clown, Karla's prisoner | Circus artist |
| Karla's security people: 1 knife thrower, 1 weightlifter, 1 snake charmer, 1 crocodile rider | Mini speaking and singing roles |
| The inhabitants of Circus Land | Circus school artists and youth choir |
On Friday the 13th, Lene, a perfectly normal girl of today, receives a visitor. Piccomatz Pix, a genuine circus parrot lands in her room; a parrot that can yodel, do the Schuhplattler [Schuhplatteln: a type of clog dance from Bavaria] dance and ride a bike. It comes from a special part of fairy-tale land: Circus Land, where only artists live. Pix tells her about a big problem: the former animal trainer Karla Knall has seized power in Circus Land and enslaved everyone else with the help of knife throwers, crocodile riders, weightlifters and snake charmers, as well as her deputy, the former mime artist Mimi Mim. Karla has abolished the circus – joy, fun and laughter are forbidden. The clown Manou, who was loved by all, has fled. Pix wants to save Circus Land and needs someone who is truly brave, and that someone is Lene. Lene decides to take a closer look. Together with Pix, she transports herself to Circus Land on a time spiral, using her imagination and spontaneously devised magic and artistry.
In Circus Land, all the inhabitants really have become Karla’s puppets. They sweep the streets, keep order and don’t dare speak up. Karla calls everyone to attention for morning assembly. She is not at all thrilled about Lene’s visit, but Lene is unimpressed. She urges everyone to flee with her. But no one wants to leave their home. Encouraged by Lene and Pix, who has now plucked up courage, everyone begins to improvise a circus act together. Karla is furious and wants to arrest everyone, which even results in her own followers having doubts. The tide turns: with combined forces, Manou, who in reality has not left the country at all but is being held captive by Karla, is liberated. The circus is alive again, the converted Mimi Mim takes charge, and Karla confesses that she actually only wanted to be liked. Lene travels home, a little wistful but happy about all her new circus friends.