Family opera of Ivan Nebesnyi “Fox Mykyta” was written specially for Lviv National Opera, in order to broaden the modern Ukrainian opera repertoire for children and adults. The opera was first performed on February 21, 2020.
Libretto was written by the director Vasyl Vovkun and was based on the poem “Fox Mykyta” by Ivan Franko, which was first published in 1890 in Lviv children’s magazine “Dzvinok”. The following year, the magazine edition of the poem was published as a book. Right after its publishing, the fairy tale achieved great popularity. “I love my “Fox Mykyta” most of all because I wrote it for my children…,” said Ivan Franko. Indeed, the first listeners and readers of the poem were the children of the writer – Andrii, Taras, Petro and Hanna. However, Franko’s fairy tale has become popular not only among children but also among adults, because “Fox Mykyta” is interesting for both children and adults.
The fictional world of Franko’s poem is considered to be a model of social reality: in the fairy tale the main characters are animals which obey the law of the struggle for survival, but their behaviour is similar to the human one. Animals lead social and political life, hold certain positions, have strong family ties, visit each other, sue, quarrel, reconcile, cry, laugh, love and hate… In this society, where the truth, as well as the concept of good and evil, are nominal, deception, deceit, bribery and protection are valued… From up to down – everyone is corrupted and protected, and King Lion is n’t an exception. Having heard about the treasure of King Horokh, he rehabilitates Fox Mykyta and appoints him Chancellor of State… Director Vasyl Vovkun combined incompatible – “human” and “brutal”, which created the main conceptual humorous and satirical effect of the performance.
The basis of the compositional production of “Fox Mykyta” is the trial, distinguished by the author of the libretto Vasyl Vovkun and the composer Ivan Nebesnyi as the central idea of the performance. Fox Mykyta wins the lawsuit using his slyness and formidable talent. “We smile and sympathize with him, feeling jealous, because he is a brilliant showman, a talented actor, an excellent director, a successful human and animal. And we try to recognise our friends and acquaintances in Fox Mykyta. However, we do not admit that we are his closest relatives.” says director and librettist Vasyl Vovkun.
An international team of creators consists of director Vasyl Vovkun, conductors Teodor Kuchar (USA) and Iryna Stasyshyn, choirmaster – Vadym Yatsenko, choreographer Marcello Algeri (Italy), set designer Tadei Ryndzak, costume designer Anna Ipatieva, lighting designer Arvidas Buinauskas (Lithuania), 3D mapping Svitlana Reinish, mask designer Liudmyla Tabachkova.
The costumes to the opera “Fox Mykyta”, designed by the artist Anna Ipatieva, are elaborate and individual. Rich robes of Lion and Lioness are impressive and clearly distinguishable. The style of other characters is related to a certain animal and their clothes resemble those of modern people with elements of military camouflage because as Ivan Franko’s literary character Fox Mykyta says: “Our life’s a never-ending war”. The artist strongly emphasizes the concept of “never-ending war” as far as it is still topical. Animals’ hats are transparent and airy, made of metal wires.
3D mapping and complex spectacular lighting design are important elements of the scenography. However, there is an element which contrasts with the colourful and mobile stage constructions. This is a fixed huge circle with giant mistletoes inside of it. Mistletoe is a parasitic plant, which is considered sacred by many nations, a symbol of strength, revival, freedom from restrictions, but also vulnerability to a world of chaos.
