Watch the last opera of lamented Peter Eötvös

Our partners at Operavision have enabled us to share the remarkable valedictory work of the great Hungarian composer, who died a few days ago, aged 80.

Synopsis
The inhabitants of a small town are terrified by increasing signs of an impending catastrophe and the growing piles of uncollected rubbish on the streets. The confusion is further exacerbated by the late-night arrival of a travelling circus boasting the world’s largest stuffed giant whale and the presence of an expanding crowd of strangers waiting around them in silence. The small circus troupe – at first seeming to consist only of the owner, who styles himself “the director”, and his assistant – also turns out to include a mysterious deformed dwarf named Prince.

At the centre of events is the innocent and well-meaning half-wit János Valuska, who delivers newspapers for the post office. Naively fascinated by the majestic order of the universe, he enthusiastically relates the incredible wonders he has glimpsed to the congregation of apathetic workers who frequent the local pub.

Valuska brings lunch every day to retired Professor, for whom he also runs other errands with tender care and touching delicacy.

The teacher’s estranged wife, Ms. Tünde, the mayor of the city throws herself into organising the “A Tidy Yard, An Orderly House” movement she has launched. To increase her influence, she summons the circus, whose star, the demonic dwarf Prince, urges the disgruntled barbarian mob to destroy, waiting in increasing impatience, ready to jump….