On 14 and 15 August, Tiit Kikas’s new short opera The Happy Prince will have its world premiere at the riverside courtyard of TOHI Distillery’s historic former distillery in Kohila, Estonia.
First published in 1888, Oscar Wilde’s story follows the gilded statue of the Happy Prince, standing high above the city. Only after his death does the Prince truly see the poverty and suffering below him. A small swallow, who pauses by the statue on his journey south, becomes his friend and helper. The bird carries away the ruby from the Prince’s sword hilt, the sapphires from his eyes, and finally the gold leaf covering the statue, delivering them to those in need.
At its heart, The Happy Prince is a story of friendship, love, compassion and sacrifice. It also carries Wilde’s sharp observation of a society that fails to notice hardship close at hand.
Over the decades, the tale has inspired a number of composers. There is something inherently operatic in Wilde’s writing: heightened emotion, vivid imagery, a clear moral conflict and a tragic ending. One of the best-known earlier adaptations is Australian composer Malcolm Williamson’s one-act opera from 1965. Since then, the story has appeared in forms ranging from children’s opera and chamber opera to musical fairy tales and larger-scale music theatre.
The Kohila production is an entirely new work. The music and arrangements are by Tiit Kikas, with orchestration by Andrus Rannaääre. The libretto is written by Jaagup Kreem, with dramaturgy by Mart Mikk. Kreem’s writing brings together poetic imagery and direct human feeling, making a natural match for Wilde’s delicate yet powerful story.
The cast includes mezzo-soprano Kai Rüütel-Pajula, bass Raiko Raalik of the Estonian National Opera, soprano Elina Nechayeva and tenor Reigo Tamm. They are joined by Chamber Choir Lambertus and the Pärnu City Orchestra, conducted by Edmar Tuul.
The setting is part of the performance itself. TOHI Distillery’s historic stone buildings and riverside courtyard create a distinctive open-air stage, where the fading August light, elegant trees, winding river and old walls give Wilde’s fairy tale its own rhythm and atmosphere.
The Happy Prince will be performed only twice:
14 August at 19:00 — World premiere
15 August at 19:00 — Final performance
