Prokofiev and Opera

[squeemu]

Prokofiev composed quite a few operas, but it seems to me that they are rarely, if ever, talked about. Is this due to a lack of quality, or simply because they are unknown? I have a recording of The Gambler, which I enjoy, but I don't have any of his others. What are the best Prokofiev operas, and what are good recordings?

[bhodges]

Prokofiev's operas are marvelous.  As I mentioned in another thread somewhere, the Met is doing The Gambler and War and Peace next year, the first time they have ever done two Prokofiev operas in a single season.  (Both are terrific productions by the way -- I saw them a few years ago when they premiered.) 

But my favorite of his (so far) musically speaking is Semyon Kotko, that I saw with Gergiev and the Kirov Opera about five years ago at the Lincoln Center Festival.  Lots of great music, and a more-than-decent story.  Gergiev has championed the piece (and others by Prokofiev), and good for him for doing so.  Too bad it's not better known. 

--Bruce

[Maciek]

I only know two: Love for Three Oranges (St. Petersburg Kirov Chorus and Orchestra/Valery Gergiev, Alexandr Morozov, Anna Netrebko, Evgeny Akimov, Fyodor Kuznetsov, Grigory Karasev, et al.) and Maddalene (USSR Ministry of Culture SO and Chamber Choir/Gennadi Rozhdestvensky, Elena Ivanova, Alexei Martynov, Sergei Yakovenko, Natalia Koptanova, Victor Rumyantsev). The former I love, the latter I find unexceptional.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Is this due to a lack of quality, or simply because they are unknown?

Lack of quality?

Goodness, no! Some of Prokofiev's most inspired music resides in his operas.

As to why they're so little known, well, you could fill volumes about unknown repertoire that is undeserving of its neglect. But pass on it at your peril!

Gergiev's comprehensive Russian opera series on Philips includes most or all of Prokofiev's operas. I have three of them (Kotko, Oranges, Betrothal) and find them immensely enjoyable.

[springrite]

Prokofiev operas are wonderful! I have heard no less than half a dozen. Interestingly, the only one that I did not like that much was the most famous one -- Love for Three Oranges. I can heartily second most of the ones mentioned above, as well as The Fiery Angel, which is a masterpiece IMHO. You may have heard much of the music in the 3rd symphony, in which Prokofiev used some of the best music from the opera, believing that it will never be staged (and indeed it wasn't until the 70's) because of the naked nuns in the last act.

[karlhenning]

I only know two: Love for Three Oranges (St. Petersburg Kirov Chorus and Orchestra/Valery Gergiev, Alexandr Morozov, Anna Netrebko, Evgeny Akimov, Fyodor Kuznetsov, Grigory Karasev, et al.) and Maddalene (USSR Ministry of Culture SO and Chamber Choir/Gennadi Rozhdestvensky, Elena Ivanova, Alexei Martynov, Sergei Yakovenko, Natalia Koptanova, Victor Rumyantsev). The former I love, the latter I find unexceptional.

Well, but apart from juvenilia, it was his first opera, and completed when he was 22.  As first operas go, it may be more exceptional than the average :-)

I still find it inordinately amusing, that the Oranges premiered in Chicago of all places 

[Choo Choo]

The Fiery Angel ... is a masterpiece IMHO.

In mine also.  We saw the Bolshoi production at Covent Garden last year, and were totally knocked out by it.  Wished I'd gone more than once.

I have Gergiev/Mariinsky on DVD, which is fine for listening, not so great for viewing as the camera tends to follow the principals around the stage in extreme close-up.  On CD I prefer Järvi/Gothenburg.

[karlhenning]

I must revisit that Bertini DVD of Война и Мир.

[Choo Choo]

You have just reminded me, I have the Rostropovich set (on Erato) which I haven't heard in a dog's age.

[T-C]

The Gambler: I have only the Gergiev Philips recording. This is the Prokofiev opera I am the least acquainted with.

The Love for Three Oranges: I think it is a 20th centaury opera masterpiece. I have the Nagano Virgin recording of the French version, and the Gergiev Philips recording of the original Russian version. But I highly recommend the Opus Arte DVD of the De Nederlandse Opera 2005 production. It is of the French version, and is conducted by Stéphane Denève and directed brilliantly by the very talented French director Laurent Pelly. The very good news is that later this year, BelAir Classiques will release another DVD of this opera, this time a 2006 production of the Russian version, which was filmed at the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence. The director is Philippe Calvario and the conductor is the young rising star Tugan Sokhiev (28 years old).

The Fiery Angle is a very impressive opera. I have Jarvi's DG CD recording and Gergiev DVD version from the Marinsky opera which I highly recommend, because in this production, the visuals really enhances the music impact.

I have never seen a production of Semyon Kotko, but I have Gergiev's Philips recording, and I agree with Bruce: the music is very beautiful and rich, very typical of the composer later, more lyrical style.

Betrothal in a Monastery. This is charming and beautiful opera, full of beautiful Prokofiev melodies and brilliant orchestration. There are at least, two CD recordings, but the best buy is the Gergiev Philips DVD. This is a stunning performance both visually and musically and relatively cheap, and it has in the cast the young and beautiful Anna Netrebko a few years before she became a superstar...

War and Peace. This is for my taste THE Prokofiev operatic masterpiece. I have a few CD recordings of it and two DVDs, but the ultimate recommendation, is the TDK DVD of the Paris opera production, which was conducted by Gary Bertini and with a huge very impressive cast: Nathan Gunn, Olga Gouriakova, Anatoli Kotcherga etc. This is a spectacular DVD and really should not be missed!!

There is currently only one recording of Prokofiev's last opera Story of a Real Man on the Chandos label. This is Russian 'propaganda' opera, which deals with the heroism of the World War II pilot Alexei Maresyev. But the opera contains marvelous music and the recording, which is a reissue of a 1960 Melodia recording, is excellent and very cheap.     

[squeemu]

Thanks everyone! I have since picked up Semyon Kotko and War and Peace, both by Gergiev. Kotko is great, and I agree that War and Peace is one of the most amazing operas I've ever heard. Unfortunately War and Peace is a live recording and there is a large amount of stage noise but it still sounds fantastic. I am looking forward to checking out the other ones.

[bhodges]

Tonight I'm seeing Prokofiev's The Gambler at the Met.  Check out the cool photos of George Tsypin's production here, and below is Vladimir Galouzine as the title character, Alexei.

--Bruce

[uffeviking]

Great picture, thanks, Bruce! Isn't this the same production we will be able to listen to this Saturday on the webcast? If they broadcast the recording of tonight's performance, do me a favor, please: During the most quiet moment, shout as loud as you can: "Hi, Lis!"

Thanks for the live greetings from the Met! 

[bhodges]

Great picture, thanks, Bruce! Isn't this the same production we will be able to listen to this Saturday on the webcast? If they broadcast the recording of tonight's performance, do me a favor, please: During the most quiet moment, shout as loud as you can: "Hi, Lis!"

Thanks for the live greetings from the Met! 

He-he...   Yes, it's the same one that will be broadcast on Saturday.  When it debuted a few years ago, I went more than once since I thought it would never, ever return, but amazingly it came back.  If you listen to it I will be most interested to hear your comments on it.

--Bruce

[head-case]

[The Fiery Angle is a very impressive opera. I have Jarvi's DG CD recording and Gergiev DVD version from the Marinsky opera which I highly recommend, because in this production, the visuals really enhances the music impact.

Unfortunately the DVD is not available in North America.   

[T-C]

Unfortunately the DVD is not available in North America.   

And even more unfortunately, the excellent Paris opera production of War and Peace DVD (TDK) is not available anymore in the USA. But it is still available in PAL format in Europe.