Prinz Bussel

Why is the boy hero called Bussel when his real name is Josofus? To add to the confusion, why do his seven sisters like to call him Schussel, Fussel and Dussel. And why does Bussel think that he is really a prince, and the queen his mother, when he only knows her from illustrations. What happens when in YES-land someone says No? And is the queen delighted when Bussel presents himself to her as a live birthday gift?
This sensitive, whimsical and subtle story about the youngster Josefus, called Bussel, by the well-known Dutch author Joke van Leeuwen, forms the basis of this opera by Johannes Wulff-Woesten and Manfred Weiß, commissioned by the Semperoper’s »Junge Szene « programme. The multi-prizewinning work (for example, ZEIT newspaper’s »Luchs des Monats«) tells the story of a youth trying to find his place in the world, who pursues his dreams with pigheaded determination. Bussel laughs off the setbacks and disappointments which beset him. A prince does not necessarily have to possess royal blood… sometimes belief in oneself is enough.

Libretto by Manfred Weiß, after the story of the same name by Joke van Leeuwen by Johannes Wulff-Woesten.
Performed in German language
Semper 2

Running time 1 hour 10 minutes

Premiere 27 Apr 2013

Next Performances / Casting