This work relates the story of Maasbracht, a town on the banks of the Meuse River in the Dutch province of Limburg. Like all fairy tales, the story begins serenely with ?Once upon a time?? The music evokes the atmosphere of this very pleasant region, where the gentle way of life is the key to happiness. A lively and joyful passage depicts the cheerfulness of the people of Maasbracht. Maasbracht, like many other towns, suffered during World War II: sound colours darken and pictures of destruction...