Koza-dereza

The original story begins with an old man, his wife, his sons, and a mischievous goat.

[2] Lysenko's works including Koza-dereza became a foundational part of Ukrainian musical culture.

[3] Though he had studied with famed composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Ukraine-themed compositions impeded Lysenko's career and led him to sever his relationship with the Russian Imperial Music Society.

[4] Koza-dereza is based on the Ukrainian fairy tale, Bully Goat (Koza dereza).

[2][1] It was one of three children's operas that Mykola Lysenko composed which also include the 1891 Pan Kots’kyi (Sir Catsky), and the 1892 Winter and Spring.