The one about the little elephant Babar, who flees to a city and takes a liking to human life; the one about the young bull Ferdinand, who has other preferences than his belligerent peers; and Saint-Saëns' famous Carnival of the Animals in a poetic new interpretation.

Three teams of directors stage the three pieces in completely different ways. The musical realisation is done in cooperation with students of Andreas Groethuysen and Benjamin Schmid.

• Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Carnival of the Animals - An Animal Trilogy
• In German with explanations in English

I. The story of Babar, the little elephant
Based on the children's book by Jean de Brunhoff (1899-1937)
Music by Francis Poulenc (1899-1963)

Concept: Herbert Kapplmüller, Lisa Stumpfögger
Direction, dramaturgy: Lisa Stumpfögger
Characters, costumes, stage design: Herbert Kapplmüller
Narrator: Hanna Schygulla

II Ferdinand the Bull
Based on the children's book by Munro Leaf (1905-1976)
Music by Alan Ridout (1934-1996)

Concept, direction: Philippe Brunner
Illustrations: Clemens Birsak
Characters: Vladimir Fediakov
Solo violin: Benjamin Schmid
Narrator: Matthias Bundschuh

III The Carnival of the Animals
Music by Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)

Concept: Matthias Bundschuh, Philippe Brunner
Direction, dramaturgy: Matthias Bundschuh
Stage design: Matthias Bundschuh, Philippe Brunner
Figures, costumes: Barbara Weinhold
Figure construction: Günter Weinhold