Choreographer and Stage Director Marina Kesler
Conductors Vello Pähn, Kaspar Mänd, Lauri Sirp
Set Designer Madis Nurms
Costumes Designer Gerly Tinn
Lighting Designer Karmen Tellisaar, Endla Theatre
Video Designer Argo Valdmaa, Endla Theatre
Graphics Joanita Janson
Cast:
The Master: Anatoli Arhangelski
The Devil: Andrea Fabbri
The Goblin: Patrick Foster
Farmhand: Jevgeni Grib
Daughter: Marita Weinrank
Night’s Herdsmen – Estonian National Ballet and the Female Chorus of the Estonian National Opera
Satanists: Estonian National Ballet
Estonian National Opera Orchestra, Female Choir and the Estonian National Ballet
The Goblin (1943) is the first Estonian ballet as well as Eduard Tubin’s first work for a music theatre. The work is based on a mythical character from Estonian folklore, the Goblin, whose sole purpose is to serve his greedy master, the Farmer, in obtaining riches. In Marina Kesler’s rendition, the story crosses the borders of one nation’s folklore: in a contemporary money-hungry world the Goblin is like a voice in people’s head, finding excuses why there is never enough money. But money buys no happiness and the reward for gluttony is ruination – becoming weary of human voracity, the Goblin destroys his maker and dies as well. The story of the greedy Farmer and the Goblin is contrasted by the love of the Farmer’s Daughter and the Peasant, resented by the Farmer because of the young man’s poverty. Kesler’s staging raises the question – what is important in today’s material and racing world? Is there room for love?
Act 1
A small business. The Master of the business is not pleased with the results – productivity is low and income small. Suddenly, the Devil appears before the Master, luring him with gold and fortune. The Master is ready to do anything in the name of money and promises three drops of blood and his soul to the Devil. Thus, the Devil crafts him a Goblin, who is to haul money and fortune to the Master.
Cafeteria. The Servant expresses his love to the Daughter of the House. The Master sees them together and forbids them from seeing each other, because the young man is too poor to make a worthy suitor for his daughter. The Daughter, who cannot deny her feelings for the Servant, disregards her father’s prohibition.
On his way home in the evening, the Servant sees the Master with a strange companion. He witnesses a money transaction with the Goblin and understands it is a swindle. The Goblin notices the Servant and storms to attack him, but the Servant gets away. It is clear to him that something suspicious is going on at the Master’s business.
Act 2
The Daughter and the Servant are among other young people enjoying a night off. The Goblin, who is back from his looting trip, passes by the merrymakers. The Servant uncovers the Goblin’s actions and people start hassling the Goblin. The Goblin decides to take his revenge on the Master, who failed to protect him. On the next day, the Goblin sets fire on the business. Workers flee from the burning building. At the same time, the Master loses his money gambling at the casino and demands more and more from the Goblin. The Goblin is fed up with the Master’s voraciousness and lets the Master’s greed destroy him.
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