"The Mafia Writes an Opera" by Elena Nesterina, summary

This captivating children’s novel, published in 2002, explores the creative rivalry between school classes and the value of true friendship. Its uniqueness lies in its seamless blend of a classic school novel and a detective story, where ordinary teenagers create a vibrant theatrical performance despite the machinations of their peers. The novel is part of the well-known children’s detective series "The Fairest Mafia" (also published in the popular "Black Kitten" series). The book ranks third in the series. Other notable works in the series include "Brotherhood of the White Hand," "Detective, Find the Thief!", and "The Mafia Sets Up a Meeting."

Creative challenge for head teachers

On April 5th, the middle school students of School No. 17 gather in the chilly assembly hall. The head teachers announce the start of a creative competition for independent theatrical productions. The winners will receive a trip to Moscow to see a performance at the Bolshoi Theater, while second place will receive tea and cake, and third place will receive a commemorative group photo. The requirements are strict: the plot must be created independently, and the use of existing fairy tales is prohibited.

The class teachers draw lots to determine the theatrical genres for each group. Physical education teacher Petr Bronislavovich, who leads eighth-grade "B," is assigned the most challenging musical genre — operetta. The students are initially despondent, but quickly realize that their only hope for salvation lies with their classmate, Anton Mylchenko. The boy, nicknamed "Humanoid," has long been composing poems and stories, though his peers often ridicule his poetic vision of the world.

Hijacking the Creative Brain

Anton attempts to compose a libretto, proposing a humorous song about the love of bedbugs in a damp suitcase. His classmates reject his ideas, and the frustrated poet sinks into despondency. Soon, Arina Balovantseva, a determined and observant girl, finds a strange note on the school board. It states that unknown rivals have taken Anton under their wing to exploit his abilities. The note’s authors openly mock the eighth-grade class, claiming that without Anton, the class is doomed to failure.

Arina realizes they’ve been challenged. She convenes a meeting of the secret society known as the Brotherhood of the White Hand. This secrecy-observant children’s mafia includes Arina herself, the strong Vitya Ryndin, the resourceful Kostya Shibay, and the modest Zoya Redkina. The boys have sworn to protect each other, so they immediately launch a rescue operation.

Search for suspects

The mafia calls Anton’s mother on the phone under the false pretext of searching for theatrical props. It turns out the kidnappers have deceived the woman: they convinced her Anton was rehearsing late with his class and would be spending the night with friends. The Brotherhood realizes the enemy is acting in a highly organized manner.

Kostya and Vitya begin their search at the school, checking classrooms under the guise of routine requests. They quickly rule out Class 9A, which is preparing a ballet, and Class 8B, which is rehearsing a tragedy, from the list of suspects. Arina secretly peeks into Class 9B’s rehearsal, but Anton is not present. Only two groups remain under suspicion, one of which is Class 8A.

The prisoner as the author of a rock opera

Meanwhile, Anton is indeed in an empty apartment belonging to the parents of Zheka, the leader of Class 8A. The kidnappers surround the poet with affection, praising his talent and convincing him that his classmates don’t appreciate him. Anton agrees to write the lyrics for a rock opera for them.

Soon, the boy begins to feel burdened by his captivity. He realizes he’s being guarded day and night, and his calls to his mother are controlled. To express his true feelings, Anton composes a dramatic story in verse about the Sorrowful Prisoner and the cruel King Albumar. He hopes that the Brotherhood of the White Hand will come to his aid.

Tracking and daring escape

Anton’s hopes are realized. A friend of the mafia, Fedya Gorobets, who attends a different school, spots the captive poet on Khorovodnaya Street, accompanied by some unfamiliar boys. Fedya realizes Anton is being taken to make a call from a public phone. The mafia immediately formulates a detailed rescue plan.

The next day, the guys set up an ambush near a phone booth. Fedya sneaks up to the kidnappers’ apartment disguised as a billboard delivery man and loudly shouts out the secret society’s password. Anton overhears the cherished words and asks Zheka to take him outside to call his mother. Near the booth, the girls from Class 8B create a loud commotion, distracting the guards. Kostya and Fedya snatch Anton away, and Vitya takes him away on a powerful motorcycle. The kidnappers try to catch up with the fugitives, but the mafia quickly disperses into the surrounding courtyards.

Night preparation of the operetta

The liberated poet returns to the school gym, where the students from Form 8B are rehearsing an operetta without sleep or rest. Zoya Redkina wrote the lyrics on the fly, based on Anton’s old idea about bedbugs. For the orchestra, the students use Mamed’s button accordion, Oleg’s drum, and Lena’s metal triangle.

Anton confesses to Arina that he managed to write half a rock opera for his competitors. Arina reassures the boy, suggesting that he consider it a generous gift from the mafia. Rehearsals continue all night before the performance in the gym. The class teacher brings the tired performers food and helps settle matters with their parents.

Triumphant performance

The day of the competition arrives. The Eighth "B" performs second. Their operetta, "Suffering from Terrible Love," is a real hit. The audience laughs until they cry, watching the hilarious adventures of Anton’s round bug and his stern wife, played by Zoya Redkina.

Anton performs in a costume made from an old drape coat stuffed with cotton wool and foam rubber, with a mustache on his hat. Zoya, wearing a shaggy wig, sings about lost love and beats her husband with a fake stick. The performance is accompanied by the choir’s strange, rhythmic chants and concludes with a fiery cancan to waltz music.

An emergency on stage

Immediately after the triumph, an unpleasant incident occurs. Vice Principal Valentina Petrovna falls on stage after getting caught on a taut fishing line. It turns out Anton had tautened it to protect her from potential enemies. Arina quickly saves the day by lying to the principal that the line was used to tie up a set.

The enraged class tries to punish Anton for this stupid prank, but Vitya, Kostya, and Arina shield the boy with their bodies. The conflict is successfully resolved. The students head to the assembly hall to watch the performances of the remaining competition participants.

Results of the creative competition

The audience also enthusiastically welcomes the rock opera by Class 8A. Zheka asks Arina not to reveal the script’s authorship to the jury. Arina promises to remain silent, as the Brotherhood strictly adheres to the rules of the game. After the jury’s deliberation, the results of the competition are announced.

The rock opera "The Sorrowful Prisoner" won first place and a trip to Moscow. The 8th "B" group took a respectable second place, winning the festive tea party. In the individual categories, Arina was named the competition’s best director, and Zoya Redkina received the award for best actress.

At the end of the story, the boys make peace with their rivals. Zhenya promises to take Anton on a trip and get him the best seat at the Bolshoi Theater. The members of the Brotherhood of the White Hand return home, rejoicing in their success and realizing that their secret alliance is capable of overcoming any challenge.