By Janis Lusens and Mara Zalite 
In 2 acts
Based on works by Hugh Lofting
Premiere performance on December 22nd, 2000

SYNOPSIS
Act 1

Dr. Dolittle lives in London, in the mansion of his late friend Mr. Morton, together with Gub-Gub the pig, Jip the dog and Polynesia the parrot. As usual, Dr. Dolittle has spent all his money on charity and on his medical practice for animals. Suddenly an amazing opera diva arrives - Pipinella, a canary. She has interrupted her brilliant career in order to search for her missing friend Cheep, also a famous canary opera singer (a tenor). Dr. Dolittle and his friends decide to help find Cheep. They also have a wonderful idea: to produce an opera! But only if they can find Pipinella's friend and partner, Cheep. Cheapside the Naughty Sparrow, who knows London like the back of his wing, joins the rescue mission. Pipinella is so beautiful and charming that he falls head over heels in love with her! Sadly, she loves only her long-lost friend, Cheep. They look for him in the Zoo, but Cheep isn't there. However, they do find many birds who could perform in the opera. Auditions and rehearsals begin. Then the Badger visits Dr. Dolittle because of a toothache. Dolittle finds a piece of gold in the Badger's mouth, and now the doctor has money again! He spends it all in a pet shop of the Bird-Seller in order to release the many captive field birds from their cages.
Later, a certain Mr. Dornton arrives in Morton's mansion, claiming to be Morton's only true heir. He orders Doctor Dolittle and all the birds and animals to leave their beloved home. However, Doctor Dolittle is sure that the mansion was left to him in Morton's will. Unfortunately the will has been lost. If it is not found the Doctor and animals will be driven from their home. Where is the will? Where is Cheep? What will happen in the birds' opera?

Act 2

As it turns out, Cheep is held captive in a cage in a coal mine. The bird is an instrument which determines the presence of poisonous gas in the mine. Cheep's death would be a signal for the miners to abandon the mine. The bats who also live here are deaf and dumb to Cheep's pleas for help. Only a Little Bat wants to save him. In the meantime, word has spread in London that that the birds are making an opera. An opera rehearsal is interrupted by members of the press. The birds are excited and happy about their show, but worried because the leading man has not been found yet. Then the Little Bat arrives, reveals Cheep's whereabouts. The great canary tenor is saved. Pipinella and Cheep sing for their joy and love. But Cheapside the Naughty Sparrow laments his star-crossed love for Pipinella. However, Polynesia the parrot is very happy - she tells the press that the opera will be brilliant, and that a parrot and a sparrow will fall in love!
During a rehearsal, fire breaks out in Morton's mansion. It started in the attic, where a wren has her nest, and the baby wren is still in the nest. All the birds and animals fight the fire, until Dr. Dolittle saves the nest and the nestling form the flames. Dornton returns, furious, determined to drive them all out of the mansion. He reveals that he himself set the house on fire, in order to destroy the will which was somewhere inside it. Actually, he knows very well who Morton's mansion truly belongs to. But then Gub-Gub the pig finds the will! It was hidden in the wren's nest. Morton left not only his mansion, but a whopping hundred thousand pounds to Doctor Dolittle and his animals. Dortnon is banished forever! The mansion belongs to Dolittle! Pipinella and Cheep love each other, and they will sing in the opera. Tomorrow is opening night. The performance will be all about the birds and the animals' desire for freedom. Opera is wonderful!

 
References:

"An event of a cultural life scale. An act of fusion of good energies."

                             Theatre critic Lilija Dzene, The Day, December 29, 2000.

"A performance which dazzles with bright colours and movements."

                         Theatre critic Anda Burtniece, The Day, December 29, 2000.

"Finally there is a performance for children, which does not claim to be meant for adults (the booklet of the performance is also useful for children). The plot is well-known, but still touching, concluded by the revelation of authors' love towards opera. It is a pleasure for eyes and ears."

                         Theatre critic Henrieta Svane, The Day, December 29, 2000.

"The wonder cherished by Mara Zalite and Janis Lusens has been performed several times already. It is a Christmas present for children - big and small, taken out of the sack of presents, accompanied by furore, and subjected to public evaluation. And it is the following - overcrowded opera house and loud applause.
The score of Janis Lusens fluctuates between the genre of academic traditions (that is - academic bel canto opera) and musical."

                      Music critic Ievina Liepina, Independent Morning Newsspaper,  December 28, 2000.

"If you want your child to be interested in opera for the rest of his or her life, start with The Birds' Opera."

                    Composer Orests Silabriedis, Literature and Art in Latvia, December 28, 2000.
 


Theatres where The Birds' Opera is staged:

1. The Latvian National Opera in Riga.
Premiere - December 22, 2000.

Composer - Janis Lusens
Stage Director - Banuta Rubesa
Set Designer - Ieva Jurjane
Costume Designer - Kristine Jurjane 
Conductor - Andris Veismanis
Lightning Designer - Paul Mathiesen (Canada)

Number of seats: 946
Number of performances as of the beginning of 2004: up to 70
Percentage of visitation: 100%

2. Vanemuine Theatre in Tartu, Estonia.

Premiere - January 12, 2003.
Director - Vahur Keller