The Child and the Spells

Maurice Ravel's fairy-tale opera with a moral. It was inspired by the play Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette in 1924. The writer and composer created a libretto that is an extremely original story filled with improbable and fantastic events. In the first image of the one-act piece, a disobedient and recalcitrant boy is locked in a room by his mother as punishment. Out of anger, he destroys objects in the room. At some point, furniture, clocks, characters from the book, a cup and other things come to life - complaining and threatening the Child. In the next picture, the domestic cats bring the Child into the garden. Here, the animals and plants hurt by the Child want to punish the tormentor. The boy takes pity on the wounded Squirrel and with compassion binds her wound. Animals notice remorse, forgive the Child and allow him to return to Mother.

The opera, delightful with musical subtlety and lyrical charm, is intended for children and those who are children. For adults, listening to this music can become a return to the country of childhood. To the land of fairy tales and good magic.