The Story of the Silly Little Mouse
Сказка о глупом мышонке
by Dmitri Shostakovich
Upon invitation by Ludmila Berlinskaya and Arthur Ancelle I had the privilege to participate in the French premiere of this orchestral version and stage production of the score by Shostakovich – the original soundtrack for Mikhail Tsekhanovsky’s cartoon movie. The audience applauded this rare musical gem full of humor and suspence enthusiastically. Several spectators approached me and said they had felt being set back into a magical childhood world.
Mrs Mouse | Irina Kopylova, soprano
Mrs Cat | Irina Kopylova, soprano
Auntie Duck | Paco Garcia, tenor
Horse | Étienne de Bénazé, tenor
Mrs Pig | Jean-Christophe Lanièce, baritone
Toad | Gautier Joubert, bass
Polkan, the dog | Gautier Joubert, bass
Baby mouse | Laurent Goosseart, speaking part
Narrator | Laurent Goosseart
Staging and costumes: Brigitte Lasa and Laurent Goossaert
Arrangement and musical direction: Laurent Goossaert
The story of the rebellious little mouse that no nannies nor lullabies could get to sleep is adapted from a tale written by Samouil Marshak whose ending was altered.
This mini-opera was performed in French at the Festival La Clé des Portes 2021, the Russian version with the same artists will be given in Saint Petersburg.