Three Jolly Fellows

Children’s opera by Tõnis Kaumann

Composer Tõnis Kaumann, librettist Vahur Keller (Kellerteater)
World premiere in the Estonian National Opera on May 27, 2022

Recommended age: 5+
Duration: 2 h 10 min, one intermission
Performed in Estonian with Estonian subtitles.

Muff, Halfshoe, and Mossbeard are three travelling fellows who love ice cream, freedom, and adventure. They share the same sense of humour and are always fooling around on the road. Yet, when the balance of nature has been disturbed – when birds have fled the forest and the city trembles in the face of an impending disaster – it is the Three Jolly Fellows who must save the world. Now, even those who were not born as heroes must become one.

Vahur Keller, the author of the libretto and director: “Writer Eno Raud has created the three most charming and colourful characters in Estonian children’s literature – characters who are a pleasure to bring to the stage in the Estonian National Opera. The music written by composer Tõnis Kaumann is characteristic, beautiful, and carries a sense of motion. I believe “Three Jolly Fellows” is Estonia’s first heartfelt and earnest action opera. This story will certainly melt the hearts of both children and their parents and it will never grow old because the best cure for everything is always true friendship, cleverness, and warm-hearted humour (not to mention Iceland moss tea).”

There is not much else to be said here. Pick a lingonberry from your beard, put your muff on, stick your toes out of your shoes and get your red van ready to take off – the adventure in the opera may begin!