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Bread Crumb Child

Theatre:
Narva Ooperipäevad
Author:
Herta Laipaik, Malle Maltis, Merle Jääger
Director:
Keywords:
Narva Ooperipäevad
Premiere:
August 24th, 2024 at the opera tent of the Kreenholm manufacture
lavastus-pic

Inspired by Herta Laipaik’s narrative "Titekirikuleib" (1986)
Composer Malle Maltis
Libretto Merle Jäeger
Director Karl Laumets
Artist Eva Maria Põldmäe
Video and lighting artist Inessa Saarits
Costume designer Ester Kannelmäe
Lighting artist Priidu Adlas
Cast Annabel Soode (soprano), Janari Jorro (tenor), Pavlo Balakin (baritone), Karmen Puis (mezzo-soprano), Endrik Üksvärav (baritone), Lukian Orlov
Choir Tumult Ensemble (artistic director Lodewijk van der Ree), Seto's choir Siidisõsarõ, Narva Symphony Orchestra (conductor Anatoli Štšura)

The opera is based on a folkloric story with pagan elements, depicting a tale of dependent love and passion where incantations created for personal gain turn against the speaker, leading to tragic consequences. 

Heba, an orphaned girl, starts working on the Karutoosi farm, where she falls deeply in love with the farmhand Lemmet. However, Lemmet soon finds another girl, leaves Heba, and departs from the farm. Heba marries the widowed farm owner Asso, whom she doesn’t love, but with whom she has a son named Iko. Lemmet is magically attached to Heba’s heart, and when Asso dies in a work accident, Heba and Lemmet meet again. Their relationship is hindered by Asso and Heba’s son Iko, who disapproves of his mother meeting another man. In an attempt to silence her son, Heba unintentionally causes Iko’s death. After their son’s death, a wounded crane with a broken wing comes to the family. Heba is convinced that it is Iko, who has returned to her as a bird.

Herta Laipaik’s collections of narrative-like stories ("Maarjakask", "Kurjasadu", "Hauakaevaja lood" etc.) contain original pagan heritage with supernatural elements such as river spirits, witches, and other supernatural beings. Folkloric and ethnographic material is approached psychologically, with dark stories often ending tragically, featuring a motif of fatal passion.

The opera lasts about 2 hours, with one intermission.