Wednesday, 4 November 2026, 6:15 pm

Martinů – Festtage | puppet opera: Boža, die Maus im Reich der Puppen

Price: CHF 5–15 >> Tickets, Duration: approx. 50 min, Age: 5+

Boža, die Maus im Reich der Puppen is an evening of music and theatre for young audiences and the young at heart. At its centre is Boža, a mouse who ventures beyond her familiar world in search of food and unexpectedly finds herself in the realm of puppets. There, she meets Harlequin, Pierrot and Colombine, experiences friendship, love and conflict, and is eventually accused of “ballet treason” – a playful nod to Bohuslav Martinů’s ballet Wer ist der Mächtigste auf Erden?. When Boža sacrifices her greatest treasure to save her new friends, she discovers that courage, friendship and a kind heart can overcome any obstacle.

The story is inspired by Bohuslav Martinů’s piano cycle Die Marionetten (also known as Die Puppen), written around a century ago. The libretto for this puppet opera by the Czech ensemble Opera Diversa draws on the cycle’s poetic imagery. The music is by Markéta Brothánková, who orchestrated selected pieces from the piano cycle and combined them with her own compositions to create a seamless musical whole.

The story is complemented by music from Martinů’s ballet comedy Wer ist der Mächtigste auf Erden?, a humorous “mouse opera” in which two mouse parents set out to find the most powerful bridegroom for their daughter. In the end, they realise that, by joining forces, the seemingly weak mice are stronger than they ever imagined. Martinů’s richly colourful musical language conjures up vivid soundscapes – from Tanz der Sonnenstrahlen and the exuberant Shimmy Foxtrott to Tanz der Wolken and the grand finale.

Boža, die Maus im Reich der Puppen brings imaginative music theatre together with a timeless message about solidarity, courage and friendship. It is a production for children and their families – and for everyone who has retained their sense of wonder.
 

Photo credit: Marek Olbrzymek