Found our copy of Brundibar the other day

[conuly]

The original opera, as I understand, is unambiguously triumphant (so long as you don't think too hard about the real life meta) - two children defeat the villain who is obviously Hitler and all's right with the world again. Hurrah.

The book by Maurice Sendak and Tony Kushner ends with a note from the eponymous bad guy, though:

They believe they’ve won the fight; they believe I’m gone, not quite
Nothing ever works out neatly, bullies don't give up completely
One departs, the next appears, and we shall meet again, my dears.
Though I go, I won’t go far. I’ll be back. Love, Brundibar.

Well. I think we can all agree that that's a depressingly prescient warning for the present timeline.

Comments

[sovay]

The book by Maurice Sendak and Tony Kushner ends with a note from the eponymous bad guy, though

The only version of Brundibár I've ever seen used Kushner's libretto. The parting shot from the villain is not the final note of the opera, but it is part of the ending, and yes, it never went out of fashion.

[conuly]

I've never seen a stage performance, so.

At any rate, it's not fair. Why can't everything wrap up neatly? Why can't the bullies just go the hell away? FOREVER.

[sovay]

I've never seen a stage performance, so.

For what it's worth, it's more of a stinger in the book.

At any rate, it's not fair. Why can't everything wrap up neatly? Why can't the bullies just go the hell away? FOREVER.

I would also like them to.

[kengr]

If this timeline is a present, I vote we re-gift it. Quickly.

[conuly]

To whom!?

[kengr]

Darth Vader? The Emperor? Baron Harkonnen?

[silveradept]

It is, indeed, an apt warning for our days and times. Sendak understood.

[conuly]

:(

[cellio]

Indeed. :-(