Kraków Opera: Little Lord

Our Forefathers’ Harry Potter

A childrens’ literary classic which even adults return to with fondness – the Kraków Opera is hosting the Little Lord.

The production is based on motifs from the novel Little Lord Fauntleroy by English writer Frances Hodgson Burnett. This was her first book for children, and at the same time a landmark in her career on a par with J.K. Rowling’s success today. The very first edition of 1886 became a bestseller which brought in 100,000 dollars, while the story of seven-year-old Cedric conquered the hearts of readers all over the world. In America its influence was so huge that a velvet costume modelled on illustrations in the first edition became the most fashionable of garments for young middle class boys. Generations of readers identified with the fate of the main protagonist, who unexpectedly becomes heir to a fortune, leaving behind his impoverished American home for his grandfather’s rich estate. Cedric is not infected by the reluctance of his hard-faced and bitter sire and his trust, sensitivity and belief in good lead to the disappearance of the barriers between him and his grandfather and their replacement by love and friendship.

Little Lord Fauntleroy has been adapted for the theatre many times, and now it’s also going to be staged at the opera. The adaptation of the novel to its needs has been taken up by Steven Markwick, an English composer and director, and musical director of the Polka, a children’s theatre in London. This is not his first encounter with Frances Hodgson Burnett’s oeuvre – Markwick composed songs for the musical version of The Secret Garden staged in 1987 in London’s West End. This time he not only composed the musical aspects, but also the libretto. We saw the world premiere of Little Lord on 12 March at the Kraków Opera. The production’s direction has been entrusted to Janusz Szydłowski and a poetic translation of the musical’s songs was completed by Rafał Dziwisz. The Opera’s soloists (including the creator of the main role selected in the casting process), orchestra and choir are to be conducted by Sebastian Perłowski. (Barbara Skowrońska)

Libretto and composer: Steven Markwick
Director: Janusz Szydłowski
Conductor: Sebastian Perłowski

31 May; 1 June 2012, 11am
2, 3, June 2012, 5:30pm