Oliver Knussen

Higglety Pigglety Pop!

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 numerous madcap false endings.