Oliver Knussen: Higglety Pigglety Pop: Orchestra: Instrumental Work

Higglety Pigglety Pop! is the second of Knussen’s two extraordinary fantasy operas created in collaboration with the acclaimed author Maurice Sendak. Composed between 1984-5 but finding its final form after a number of substantial revisions in 1999 the opera subtitled ‘There Must be More to Life’ is the story of a well-fed Sealyham terrier Jennie who escapes boredom to become prima donna of the Mother Goose World Theatre. Brimming with invention this hour-long work culminates in a witty opera-within-an-opera complete with a lopsided and slightly screwy overture after Mozart absurdly abrupt changes of tone and gear and numerousmadcap false endings!