This volume contains the librettos and production designs for two operas based on Maurice Sendak’s picture books. The first story follows Jennie, a Sealyard Terrier who leaves a life of luxury to seek experience, eventually becoming the star of the World Mother Goose Theatre. The second narrative focuses on Max, a boy sent to bed without supper who travels to an island of large, fanged creatures to become their king. The text documents how these stories transitioned into musical stage works through the collaborative efforts of Sendak and composer Oliver Knussen.
This book serves readers interested in the intersection of children's literature, set design, and contemporary opera. It appeals to students of stagecraft and those studying how visual storytelling adapts to live performance. Readers gain an understanding of the technical requirements of costume design and the structural changes necessary to expand short picture books into full-length musical compositions. The collection illustrates the practical process of translating private imagination into a public theatrical event.
Balanced in tone; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Escapist Adventurer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 1985
- Language
- EN
