GMG Classical Music Forum

The Music Room => Opera and Vocal => Topic started by: marvinbrown on September 07, 2008, 09:58:05 AM

Title: Russian Operas
Post by: marvinbrown on September 07, 2008, 09:58:05 AM
  Opera fans I am upset  >:(, disappointed  :( and above all dismayed  :'(! There is hardly any discussion on Russian operas aside from the very few popular ones (Boris Godunov, Lady Macbeth and Eugene Onegin)  >:(.  We are in desperate in need of a thread on Russian Operas. 

  So which Russian Operas do you like? and why?

  Lately I have fallen in love with Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin

  I also have Shosty's Lady Macbeth, which always leaves my head spinning with bewildered excitement and  Mussorgsky's Boris Godunov, which has those wonderfull choruses.

  I just bought and have yet to listen to Borodin's Prince Igor, Tchaikovsky's The Queen of Spades and Mazeppa. I am so excited I do not know where to start! 

  I am also very curious to hear Prokofiev's and Rimsky-Korsakov's operas!

  So let's hear from you all! Don't be shy! Which Russian operas do you like and WHY?? Which recordings do you like?   

 
  marvin
 
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Sarastro on September 07, 2008, 11:38:54 AM
Quote from: marvinbrown on September 07, 2008, 09:58:05 AM
  I just bought and have yet to listen to Borodin's Prince Igor, Tchaikovsky's The Queen of Spades and Mazeppa.

I am so excited I do not know where to start! 

Of course from The Queen of Spades . :D :D :D

Why is Glinka always forgotten?? He is so Russian, although took concepts of composing from the Italians.

I won't comment on anything, just add a few titles in your cart.

Sergei Rachmaninov:
Aleko
The miserly Knight
Francesca da Rimini

Alexander Dargomizhsky:
Rusalka 
The Stone Guest

Mussorgsky's Khovanshchina

Anton Rubinstein's Demon

Serguei Prokofiev:
The Love for Three Oranges (Lyubov k tryom apel'sinam)
The Fiery Angel (Ognennyi Angel)
The Gambler (Igrok)
Semyon Kotko
Betrothal in a Monastery (Obrucheniye v Monastire)
War and Peace (Voina i mir)

Tchaikovsky:     
Iolanta
The Maid of Orleans (Orleanskaya Deva)

Rimsky-Korsakov:    
The Maid Of Pskov (Pskovityanka)
May Night (Mayskaya Noch')
The Snow Maiden (Snegurochka)
Sadko
Mozart i Salieri (Mozart and Salieri)
The Tsar's Bride (Tsarskaya nevesta)
Kashchei the Immortal (Kashchei bessmertniy)
The Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh and the Maiden Fevronia (Skazanie o nevidimom grade Kitezhe i deve Fevronii)
The Golden Cockerel (Zolotoy petushok)

There are, of course, a few more operas by those composers, but I'm quite sure they are being no longer issued and sold, and the list above is enough for beginning.
I personally downloaded Rimsky-Korsakov's The Tale of Tsar Saltan (where the flight of the bumble bee is from, and there is also a wonderful Swan Princess' aria which is included in Netrebko's Russian Album) from a Russian torrent system; there is only one recording that was made fifty years ago in the Soviets and has been forgotten. As well as I downloaded Tchaikovsky's The Enchantress which was converted from LP's by some good man.
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: uffeviking on September 07, 2008, 03:39:22 PM
- anybody out there observing my attempts at getting my messages to look the way I want to? Hang on, I am still experimenting! -
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: uffeviking on September 07, 2008, 03:42:31 PM
I thought I had written a review of my latest Eugene Onegin with Peter Mattei. What a treat, maybe I can find it. Of course it's contemporary style, no famous waltzes being danced, but the music is there of course.

Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Sarastro on September 07, 2008, 03:43:19 PM
Funnily enough, Anna Samuil and Ekaterina Gubanova, Tatiana and Olga respectively, sometimes visit Russian opera forums, and I met Gubanova in person in LA when she sang in Prokofiev's Alexander Nevsky with LA-Philharmonics. Good to know this Onegin from Salzburg was issued on DVD, I heard just the translation but must say I would prefer other versions.
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: uffeviking on September 07, 2008, 03:50:39 PM
That is the beauty of having access to various versions of any opera - yes, concerts et al too - . I do have two more versions of Onegin but this Salzburg production is a stunner because Mattei is such a temperamental actor, fire and gentleness, all there combined in one outstanding singer and actor. The last act will bowl you over!
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: uffeviking on September 07, 2008, 04:07:00 PM
On top of the stack of DVDs to be watched is this latest Opus Arte:

http://www.opusarte.com/pages/product.asp?ProductID=227

It's the 2007 production at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona.
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Dancing Divertimentian on September 07, 2008, 06:07:47 PM
Shostakovich's Lady Macbeth has already been mentioned but his other (completed) opera, The Nose, is every bit as good. It's everything you could ask from 'pre-crackdown' Shostakovich: darting rhythms, sparkling colors, the works.

Russian opera in general is great. I have operas from Mussorgsky, Borodin, Rimsky-Korsakov, and my favorite: Prokofiev.

Prokofiev's operas constitute some of his finest work. And some of the finest work of the Russian stage. Their neglect is criminal, but not hard to understand: Pavarotti has never featured in one. ;D


Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: marvinbrown on September 07, 2008, 11:36:00 PM
Quote from: Sarastro on September 07, 2008, 11:38:54 AM
Of course from The Queen of Spades . :D :D :D

Why is Glinka always forgotten?? He is so Russian, although took concepts of composing from the Italians.

I won't comment on anything, just add a few titles in your cart.

Sergei Rachmaninov:
Aleko
The miserly Knight
Francesca da Rimini

Alexander Dargomizhsky:
Rusalka 
The Stone Guest

Mussorgsky's Khovanshchina

Anton Rubinstein's Demon

Serguei Prokofiev:
The Love for Three Oranges (Lyubov k tryom apel'sinam)
The Fiery Angel (Ognennyi Angel)
The Gambler (Igrok)
Semyon Kotko
Betrothal in a Monastery (Obrucheniye v Monastire)
War and Peace (Voina i mir)

Tchaikovsky:     
Iolanta
The Maid of Orleans (Orleanskaya Deva)

Rimsky-Korsakov:    
The Maid Of Pskov (Pskovityanka)
May Night (Mayskaya Noch')
The Snow Maiden (Snegurochka)
Sadko
Mozart i Salieri (Mozart and Salieri)
The Tsar's Bride (Tsarskaya nevesta)
Kashchei the Immortal (Kashchei bessmertniy)
The Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh and the Maiden Fevronia (Skazanie o nevidimom grade Kitezhe i deve Fevronii)
The Golden Cockerel (Zolotoy petushok)

There are, of course, a few more operas by those composers, but I'm quite sure they are being no longer issued and sold, and the list above is enough for beginning.
I personally downloaded Rimsky-Korsakov's The Tale of Tsar Saltan (where the flight of the bumble bee is from, and there is also a wonderful Swan Princess' aria which is included in Netrebko's Russian Album) from a Russian torrent system; there is only one recording that was made fifty years ago in the Soviets and has been forgotten. As well as I downloaded Tchaikovsky's The Enchantress which was converted from LP's by some good man.

  Excellent! Thank you for posting this list Sarastro  :)!  This list should guide me well in my exploration.   I am also pleased to hear from donwyn that Prokofiev's operas "constitute his finest works".  It is ironic that I had never heard of them.
 
  Finally I am not sure exactly why the majority of Russian operas are neglected??  ???  Perhaps a lack of understanding by non-Russian artists, singers, conductors etc. of Russian operas over the past decades had something to do with it??  On my end and as an Englishman I am ashamed to admit that I am unfamiliar with most of the operas mentioned in Sarastro's list. I can only say that I have not been exposed to these operas for some reason. It is high time I fixed my problem.

  marvin

 
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Drasko on September 08, 2008, 07:22:35 AM
There was an excellent recording of Glinka's Ivan Susanin: A life for the Tsar but is stuck in EMI vaults for as long as I can remember. It's with Boris Christoff in title role, Nicolai Gedda and Teresa Stich-Randall, Igor Markevitch conducting Lamoureux Orchestra and Belgrade Opera Chorus. It was very shortly on CD, never reissued, here is 10 minute excerpt:

http://www.youtube.com/v/RQdGhjiXvKc
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: bhodges on September 08, 2008, 08:39:04 AM
Another huge vote for Prokofiev's operas, specifically The Gambler, Semyon Kotko and War and Peace, all of which have some of the composer's best music--and that's saying something. 

And the Rimsky-Korsakov scores I've heard are engaging and filled with color: The Snow Maiden and The Invisible City of Kitezh are standouts.  I've got a few of the Gergiev/Kirov "blue boxes" (on Philips), and they are generally highly recommendable, with many outstanding Russian singers.

--Bruce
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Dancing Divertimentian on September 08, 2008, 08:50:26 PM
Quote from: bhodges on September 08, 2008, 08:39:04 AM
I've got a few of the Gergiev/Kirov "blue boxes" (on Philips)...

This is what I have, too. Nine of them to be exact. Excellent all around.



Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Dancing Divertimentian on September 08, 2008, 09:17:03 PM
Quote from: marvinbrown on September 07, 2008, 11:36:00 PM
I am also pleased to hear from donwyn that Prokofiev's operas "constitute his finest works".  It is ironic that I had never heard of them.

They are such delights!

The three I have are: Semyon Kotko, Betrothal In A Monastery, and Love For Three Oranges.

Each with Gergiev/Kirov.

Semyon Kotko and Betrothal are more on the lyric side, with Oranges in Prokofiev's more jutting style. All are wonderful.


(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51M2DFE4Z2L._SS500_.jpg)



Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: marvinbrown on September 10, 2008, 03:31:25 AM


I just ordered this:

  (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51SV4VY80SL._SS500_.jpg)
 

  After The Queen of Spades, Prince Igor and Mazeppa this will be my 4th Gergiev recording with the Kirov ensemble.

  marvin   
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Anne on September 10, 2008, 02:31:51 PM
Quote from: Drasko on September 08, 2008, 07:22:35 AM
There was an excellent recording of Glinka's Ivan Susanin: A life for the Tsar but is stuck in EMI vaults for as long as I can remember. It's with Boris Christoff in title role, Nicolai Gedda and Teresa Stich-Randall, Igor Markevitch conducting Lamoureux Orchestra and Belgrade Opera Chorus. It was very shortly on CD, never reissued, here is 10 minute excerpt:

http://www.youtube.com/v/RQdGhjiXvKc

Who lives closest to the Met that he could get an appointment with Peter Gelb, the Met's new general manager, and ask about Christoff's A Life For the Tsar by Glinka getting released?  Gelb had a recording background before he came to the Met.  The recording in discussion here is from EMI.  Gelb has worked a deal with EMI for the releases of the Met HD Live DVD's that are currently being sent all over the world.  I think it would be entirely possible that he could help us.

One other time at the Met's Opera News magazine forum, we all wanted the recorded, but not in print, Beverly Sills' performances of Donizetti's 3 Queens (Maria Stuarda, Anna Bolena, and Roberto Devereux).  We all sighed for them so much that they finally came out in print with them.  This website we are currently on probably does not have the popularity with suppliers that the Opera News' forum had.  Getting to Peter Gelb has promise IMHO.  Does anyone else have a way to talk to Gelb?  I think he was vice president of some major recording company just before he went to the Met.
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: M forever on September 10, 2008, 06:18:37 PM
Quote from: Anne on September 10, 2008, 02:31:51 PM
Who lives closest to the Met that he could get an appointment with Peter Gelb, the Met's new general manager, and ask about Christoff's A Life For the Tsar by Glinka getting released?  Gelb had a recording background before he came to the Met.  The recording in discussion here is from EMI.  Gelb has worked a deal with EMI for the releases of the Met HD Live DVD's that are currently being sent all over the world.  I think it would be entirely possible that he could help us.

Do you have a computer and internet access? Then you could just email his office. If you don't have these electronic tools, you can also use analog mail.
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: karlhenning on March 10, 2009, 03:46:58 PM
Quote from: donwyn on September 07, 2008, 06:07:47 PM
Shostakovich's Lady Macbeth has already been mentioned but his other (completed) opera, The Nose, is every bit as good. It's everything you could ask from 'pre-crackdown' Shostakovich: darting rhythms, sparkling colors, the works.

Behold The Nose, itself (http://henningmusick.blogspot.com/2009/03/when-you-put-on-nose-it-gr.html)
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Superhorn on March 11, 2009, 08:49:24 AM
 That old EMI recording of A Life For The Tsar was in my local library on LP ages ago, but unfortunately,it's heavily cut.
  More recently,I heard an uncut version from Sony Classical conducted by the late Bulgarian conductor Emil Tchakarov,with Bulagarian forces,and American tenor Chris Merritt in the cast. It's probably unavailable now, but worth looking for.
  Tchakarov was a gifted conductor who died tragically young. I saw him conduct a fine performance of Eugene Onegin at the Met years ago.
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Anne on March 11, 2009, 09:18:31 PM
I have a DVD of Glinka's A Life for the Tsar conducted by Alexander Lazarev with the Bolshoi Symphony and Chorus.  Ivan Susanin is sung by Evgeny Nesterenko.  Elena Zaremba sings Vanya.  Both of them are outstanding singers IMHO.  I especially like Russian operas using Russian singers, Russian costumes and Russian conductors.  It makes me feel like I had visited Russia.

This DVD runs 175 minutes, has NTSC format, Dolby, 4:3 Full Screen, and of course sung in Russian.  It was distributed  by Kultur (www.kultur.com)  There is a phone # listed - 732-229-2343.  I don't know if it still works.

I didn't notice whether anyone had mentioned Ruslan and Lyudmila also by Glinka.  On the DVD there is a little interview with the conductor (at the moment I cannot locate the DVD) who says that if anyone hears Chernomor's March from Ruslan, he cannot forget it.  I have to agree with him.  It is a very interesting march!
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: ChamberNut on March 12, 2009, 04:05:29 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on March 10, 2009, 03:46:58 PM
Behold The Nose, itself (http://henningmusick.blogspot.com/2009/03/when-you-put-on-nose-it-gr.html)

Karl,

Having watched the Shostakovich documentary Sonata for Viola last night, I'm now intrigued and very interested in hearing/watching The Nose!
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Brünnhilde forever on March 12, 2009, 06:01:05 AM
Which Nose do you have? There are two in my collection, one a performance, Die Nase, in Dresden in 1986 and another from Moscow, Nos1995. I definitely would go for the one from Moscow, a very intelligently directed performance with excellent singers. Enjoy!
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: jhar26 on March 12, 2009, 07:59:45 AM
Quote from: Anne on March 11, 2009, 09:18:31 PM

I didn't notice whether anyone had mentioned Ruslan and Lyudmila also by Glinka.  On the DVD there is a little interview with the conductor (at the moment I cannot locate the DVD) who says that if anyone hears Chernomor's March from Ruslan he cannot forget it.  I have to agree with him.  It is a very interesting march!

I have that one also. Real value for money - a three and a half hour opera, 18 minutes of 'introducing Ruslan' and a one hour documentary on Gergiev. Very entertaining opera too.
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Superhorn on March 12, 2009, 12:38:09 PM
  I have the Sony Classical recording of the world premiere performance in Amsterdam of Alfred Schnitke's "Life With An Idiot" conducted by the late,great Rostropovich.
  This is one weird opera, and may be the first opera in which the word "Pizza" is used. It's the bizarre story of a Russian couple in the old Soviet Union who as some kind of punishment are forced to live with a wacko who says nothing but"Ekh" during the opera and does all kinds of wild and crazy things which drive them crazy.
It's supposed to be an allegory about Soviet repression; the "Idiot",called  Vova,short for Vladimir, is supposed to represent Lenin symbolically,and in the opera, the singer playing Vova was make up to look like him. I don't know of any subsequent performances, but this crazy opera,in the tradition of The Nose, deserves to be done more often.
   The recording is probably unavailable now, but is worth looking for.
 
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: bhodges on March 12, 2009, 12:48:02 PM
Quote from: Superhorn on March 12, 2009, 12:38:09 PM
  I have the Sony Classical recording of the world premiere performance in Amsterdam of Alfred Schnitke's "Life With An Idiot" conducted by the late,great Rostropovich.
  This is one weird opera, and may be the first opera in which the word "Pizza" is used. It's the bizarre story of a Russian couple in the old Soviet Union who as some kind of punishment are forced to live with a wacko who says nothing but"Ekh" during the opera and does all kinds of wild and crazy things which drive them crazy.
It's supposed to be an allegory about Soviet repression; the "Idiot",called  Vova,short for Vladimir, is supposed to represent Lenin symbolically,and in the opera, the singer playing Vova was make up to look like him. I don't know of any subsequent performances, but this crazy opera,in the tradition of The Nose, deserves to be done more often.
   The recording is probably unavailable now, but is worth looking for.
 

I'm a huge Schnittke fan, but haven't heard this yet.  (I found a used copy awhile back, which is on my way-too-large "to listen to" pile.) 

Great that you enjoyed it.  I wish someone would stage it here, since it sounds like it would be totally wild seen in person.

--Bruce 
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Ciel_Rouge on December 29, 2009, 08:51:09 PM
Ladies and Gentlemen, imagine having a brand new opera world right there in front of you, after exhausting the old one. Russian opera absorbed the immense richness of folklore, it is different and intriguing, as if you had suddenly discovered a secret passage to an uknown land of wonder. The city of Kitezh has been called the Russian Atlantis and it is this kind of delightful fantasy that one can expect.

Here is an excerpt from Kitezh:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl2AlSD7wQo

And here is one of my favourites from Sadko:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8Be0Dj0TWU


Do not neglect Russian opera. It is like throwing away Mozart or Rossini :)
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Brahmsian on December 30, 2009, 09:34:29 AM
Anyone heard Taneyev's opera Oresteia?  Just listened to the excellent overture last night!  Fantastic!
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: listener on December 30, 2009, 09:39:37 AM
Quote from: Brahmsian on December 30, 2009, 09:34:29 AM
Anyone heard Taneyev's opera Oresteia?  Just listened to the excellent overture last night!  Fantastic!

Got the vinyl but haven't heard it for a long time.  My new system does not want my turntable so I have to get my old amp back to accommodate.   
Disc details
TANEYEV, Sergei Ivanovich(1856-1915)   ORESTEIA         (1895)
LP      DGG 2709 097      3   r.t.   1979      location
AAA      Tatiana Kolomijzeva      Belorussian State Opera and Ballet Theatre Orch. & Chorus
      Viktor Tschrnobajew, Lidija Galuschkina, Anatolij Bokow, Nelli Tkatschenko, Tamara Schimko, Iwan Dubrowin,

released at the same time: Paliashveli's Absalom and Etery
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Brahmsian on December 30, 2009, 09:42:06 AM
Quote from: listener on December 30, 2009, 09:39:37 AM
Got the vinyl but haven't heard it for a long time.  My new system does not want my turntable so I have to get my old amp back to accommodate.   
Disc details
TANEYEV, Sergei Ivanovich(1856-1915)   ORESTEIA         (1895)
LP      DGG 2709 097      3   r.t.   1979      location
AAA      Tatiana Kolomijzeva      Belorussian State Opera and Ballet Theatre Orch. & Chorus
      Viktor Tschrnobajew, Lidija Galuschkina, Anatolij Bokow, Nelli Tkatschenko, Tamara Schimko, Iwan Dubrowin,

I can't seem to find a recording of the complete opera (on CD)?  Either OOP, or never recorded on CD.
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Superhorn on December 30, 2009, 12:48:37 PM
 Prokofiev's "The Fiery Angel" is without a doubt the weirdest,spookiest and most disturbing opera ever written. It's like a horrible nightmare set to music, and if you can take it, you'll never forget it.
  The music is fiercely dissonant and almost unbearably tense and harrowing. The story is about Renata, a crazed  young woman in 16th century
Germany during the inquisition and the heyday of black magic and sorcery who is obsessed with finding the imaginary playmate of her childhood known as Madiel, the angel of fire, and who is loved by but does not love the valiant wandering knight Ruprecht, who tries to help her find the fiery angel in human form by getting involved with the blackest of black magic.
  In the final scene she is condemned as a witch and sorceress after a terrfying exorcism in a nunnery,and is sentenced to be burnt at the stake.

The Gergiev/Philips and Jarvi/DG recordings and the GergievDVD  may be hard to find, but are worth looking for- if you dare !
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: offbeat on December 30, 2009, 01:01:54 PM
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ouBkY6bYL._SS500_.jpg)

Somebody lent me this dvd and its totally weird. Its a sort of musical/opera meant to show the trials and tribulations of the average russian-Shostakovich's score is immediately recognizable as his style and think its supposed to be a russian version of the Hollywood  musicals of the fifties. Not something i would buy but anything by DSCH is worthy of attention i think
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: offbeat on December 30, 2009, 01:08:45 PM
Quote from: Superhorn on December 30, 2009, 12:48:37 PM
Prokofiev's "The Fiery Angel" is without a doubt the weirdest,spookiest and most disturbing opera ever written. It's like a horrible nightmare set to music, and if you can take it, you'll never forget it.
  The music is fiercely dissonant and almost unbearably tense and harrowing. The story is about Renata, a crazed  young woman in 16th century
Germany during the inquisition and the heyday of black magic and sorcery who is obsessed with finding the imaginary playmate of her childhood known as Madiel, the angel of fire, and who is loved by but does not love the valiant wandering knight Ruprecht, who tries to help her find the fiery angel in human form by getting involved with the blackest of black magic.
  In the final scene she is condemned as a witch and sorceress after a terrfying exorcism in a nunnery,and is sentenced to be burnt at the stake.

The Gergiev/Philips and Jarvi/DG recordings and the GergievDVD  may be hard to find, but are worth looking for- if you dare !
tks for yr interesting info re the Fiery Angel - ive often wondered about this opera and sounds similar in a way to Bergs two operas ?? anyway am tempted now to investigate - not sure if im correct but did he quote the Fiery Angel in his third symphony ...?
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: listener on December 30, 2009, 01:17:28 PM
Quote from: offbeat on December 30, 2009, 01:08:45 PM
tks for yr interesting info re the Fiery Angel - ive often wondered about this opera and sounds similar in a way to Bergs two operas ?? anyway am tempted now to investigate - not sure if im correct but did he quote the Fiery Angel in his third symphony ...?

Yes, lots.   I was lucky to spot the DVD at a good price before hearing the Prok. 3rd live, and did enjoy the concert more from having been acquainted with the "themes".

Penderecki's Devils of Loudon and Schrecker's Die Gezeichniten are also up there  in the "not to take mother to" category, along with Hindemith's Sancta Susanna.   The Schrecker features a transvestite dwarf, the Hindemith and Penderecki  have mad/demon-possessed nun(s).
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Wendell_E on December 31, 2009, 02:38:28 AM
Quote from: Superhorn on December 30, 2009, 12:48:37 PM
The Gergiev/Philips and Jarvi/DG recordings and the GergievDVD [of Prokofiev's "The Fiery Angel"]  may be hard to find, but are worth looking for- if you dare !

Definitely.  When I recently had to replace my DVD player, I got an all-regions on mainly so I could finally see the DVD, which has never been released as a region 1 disc.

Quote from: offbeat on December 30, 2009, 01:08:45 PM
not sure if im correct but did he quote the Fiery Angel in his third symphony ...?

More than just quote.  The whole symphony is based on material from the opera.
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Superhorn on January 02, 2010, 05:55:15 AM
  I'd like to hear Paliashvili's Absalom and Eteri,too. Technically,it's not a Russian opera, because it's written in the composer  Paliashvili's native Georgian,
a language which has no more similarity to Russian than Arabic.
Georgian was also the native language of Stalin, whose real last name was Dzhugashvili .  Geogian is an ancient indigeinous language of the Caucasus and even has its own strange looking squiggly alphabet.
 
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: listener on January 02, 2010, 10:45:31 AM
Quote from: Superhorn on January 02, 2010, 05:55:15 AM
  I'd like to hear Paliashvili's Absalom and Eteri,too. Technically,it's not a Russian opera, because it's written in the composer  Paliashvili's native Georgian,...

I saw the LP set at  a local b&m a couple of days ago   http://www.sikorasclassical.com/
  This is the only record shop I have ever seen mentioned in a Michelin Green Guide!
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: OzRadio on January 30, 2010, 06:14:44 AM
Can anyone recommend available Eugene Origen sets? I'd prefer sung in Russian and a libretto, but I believe librettos can be found on amazon for just a couple dollars.
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Drasko on January 30, 2010, 06:25:32 AM
Quote from: OzRadio on January 30, 2010, 06:14:44 AM
Can anyone recommend available Eugene Origen sets? I'd prefer sung in Russian and a libretto, but I believe librettos can be found on amazon for just a couple dollars.

Hvorostovsky/Bychkov (available, in Russian, has a libretto)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tchaikovsky-Evgeny-Onegin-Dmitri-Hvorostovsky/dp/B000BDIY2C
http://www.amazon.com/Tchaikovsky-Eugene-Onegin-Pyotr-Ilyich/dp/B000BDIY2C
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Scarpia on January 30, 2010, 06:44:09 AM
This is wonderful, but out of print.   >:(

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51TC372B73L._SL500_AA240_.jpg)
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Drasko on January 30, 2010, 06:58:36 AM
Quote from: Scarpia on January 30, 2010, 06:44:09 AM
This is wonderful, but out of print.   >:(

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51TC372B73L._SL500_AA240_.jpg)

Depends where you are:
http://www.amazon.de/Rimski-Korssakoff-Nikolai-Coq-goldene-Hahn/dp/B0001MDNYM
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Wanderer on January 30, 2010, 09:25:50 AM
Quote from: Drasko on January 30, 2010, 06:25:32 AM
Hvorostovsky/Bychkov

Seconded.

Also, these:

Allen/Levine (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tchaikovsky-Eugene-Onegin-Pyotr-Ilyich/dp/B000001GA4/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1264875568&sr=8-12)
Mattei/Barenboim (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tchaikovsky-Eugene-Onegin-Barenboim-DVD/dp/B0018B7RT2/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1264875568&sr=8-16)
Hvorostovsky/Gergiev (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Peter-Ilyich-Tchaikovsky-Hvorostovsky-Metropolitan/dp/B000YCLRBA/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1264875568&sr=8-5)
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: OzRadio on January 30, 2010, 01:36:48 PM
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tchaikovsky-Evgeny-Onegin-Dmitri-Hvorostovsky/dp/B000BDIY2C
http://www.amazon.com/Tchaikovsky-Eugene-Onegin-Pyotr-Ilyich/dp/B000BDIY2C
[/quote]

Thanks, added it straight away to my Tchaikovsky order.
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: knight66 on January 31, 2010, 07:13:18 AM
I also endorse the Bychkov discs. The cast is superb, though for me Shicoff has not the liquid ease I prefer in that part, but otherwise, all is first rate. I did rid myself of Levine, Freni was too old to record her role convincingly.

Mike
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: False_Dmitry on May 12, 2010, 10:07:05 PM
Apologies for dragging this topic back into the limelight.  I've enjoyed reading your many informed and well-considered comments :)

If we're considering the "unfairly neglected" Russian repertoire, then we don't have to look far - since even mainstream pieces by the central core of Russian composers get neglected. 

But there are many understandable, if not perhaps justifiable reasons why pieces slip through the cracks.  Not every foreign singer has the time or inclination to learn roles in Russian operas, and wonky pronunciation doesn't aid the enterprise - although I ought to add warm words of praise for Nathan Gunn, Christopher Ventris and Simon Keenlyside here.  Nor is the banal but necessary business of getting hold of the printed scores and orchestral parts always easy, especially for works printed in the USSR era.  Often the publishing houses have gone out of business amid today's commercial pressures, and tracing copies is hard.  There might be a set in a theatre somewhere - but the parts are hand-written, there are huge unauthaurised cuts (and the notes are missing for the cuts), or even rewritings. The situation isn't always better with the "classics", because the USSR forced "ideological" cuts in works, and scenes got rewritten if they appeared to praise the Royal Family overmuch etc - so one has to go back to a pre-1917 edition of the work, if it can be found intact.  Another reason these works are neglected is finance - the Russian Imperial Court didn't stint itself on cost, and the USSR never even gave a thought to it - often these are enormous-scale works with hundreds of characters, costume-changes, on-stage bands and orchestras.

I was pleased to see enthusiastic support for the lesser-known Tchaikovsky works.  For me, this is a corpus of work that's "up there" with the Verdi output - and if Verdi's more obscure stuff like ATTILA, DUE FOSCARI, and GIORNO DI REGNO are getting performances and recordings,  then how much more do we miss masterpieces like ORLEANSKAYA DEVA (The Maid Of Orleans), MAZEPPA, or OPRICHNIK ("The Bodyguard").   But even PIKOVAYA DAMA (The Queen Of Spades) is a rare appearance overseas.  MAZEPPA is surely Tchaikovsky's masterpiece, combining bravura writing in the famous crowd scenes with lyrical insight into the characters in the solo scenes - a "must-listen", in fact (and there's a good Mariisnky recording now).   OPRICHNIK is the "cinderella" of his output - unloved and unwanted.  Soon after the (box-office hit) premiere, Balakireff began a "whispering campaign" against Tchaikovsky, claiming the work had "sold out" and was a feeble copy of French Grand Opera, lacking any Russian "soul".  (It's true that the piece is purposely designed to appeal to audiences outside Russia, even through to having the traditional Parisian "mezzo soprano breeches role" of Basmanov.  Balakireff was particularly angered by a Russian officer with a female voice.)  Within a few weeks, Tchaikovsky himself had become convinced that he'd written a monstrosity that had offended the entire nation, and tried to have it pulled from the repertoire.  He even had the publishers destroy the printing-plates.  Even the Bolshoi hasn't done the piece since 1948 :(

We need to revisit the soviet-era works too.  Nice to see that someone mentioned Shostakovich's CHERYOMUSHKI ("Cherry Fields" - the optimistic name of a new soviet-era Housing Project in S Moscow, which is in fact still there).  There are other Shostakovich "operettas" and musical comedies, but mostly incomplete - "THE BIG LIGHTNING" is a madcap piece set in a hotel in London, where soviet delegates are attending an international conference and behaving extremely badly indeed.  Only Act One survives.

How do we deal with the real political tub-thumping pieces in praise of a Communism now widely despised even its own homeland?   [Or, as Mstislav Rostropovich observed in a radio interview, "Where have they buried all that sh*t now?" ]   This is a controversial area - do we really want these hymns to a madman like Stalin any longer, even as museum-pieces?

Helikon Opera here in Moscow have been experimenting out on the edge of things, and recently produced a new version of Prokofiev's STORY OF A REAL MAN,  which they purposely retitled THE MAN WHO FELL OUT OF THE SKY to distance it from the original version.  It's  a WW2 tale of a Russian "air ace", Morozov (a real-life pilot) who lost both legs when his plane was shot-down over no-man's-land, but dragged himself back across the lines using his ams alone.  The story was heavily politicised, and the opera ends in a scene in which Stalin himself (he isn't named, but it's clear that he's the "Leader") arrives in the hospital, and grants an apartment to the bed-ridden hero.  Helikon decided to rework the ending - justifiably so, I'd say?  Instead of Stalin, a German journalist has arrived to interview the legendary airman - who is a forgotten man in a country that regards him as a waste of a hospital bed.  There were "lively scenes" at the premiere, and the clearly anti-government line in the production was strongly noted... but war veterans among the audience leapt up to defend the production, "this is us!  this is how Russia treats us now!".   By subverting the story,  the opera has acquired a relevance for a new generation - and returned to the repertoire.

(http://www.helikon.ru/img/wysiwyg/DSC_001-6160.jpg)  (http://www.helikon.ru/img/wysiwyg/%5Dj%20(55)%20ed_1.jpg)
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: The new erato on May 12, 2010, 11:21:15 PM
I see Brilliant Classics are reissuing some stuff lately:

(http://www.mdt.co.uk/public/pictures/products/standard/94038.jpg)

and this:

(http://www.mdt.co.uk/public/pictures/products/standard/94028.jpg)

Any comments on works and performances?
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: False_Dmitry on May 13, 2010, 12:47:29 AM
Rimsky's SNOW MAIDEN is - IMHO - his finest work :)  Probably because it has the best libretto, a welcome change from his two-dimensional cardboard Olde Russian Knights Of Yore :)   Instead SNOW MAIDEN is a tale of lost innocence, cupidity, and stupidity...   all of them compete to have her, marry her, sell her, buy her... and in the end she just (PLOT SPOILER!) melts away :)    It also has a pre-Stravinsky take on earth-religion and shamanist lore in the Russian forests, which is quite unusual.  And a poignant score of exceptional delicacy too :)   Along with MAY NIGHT and KASHEI THE INVINCIBLE it's up at the top of my Rimsky list :)  The famous mezzo breeches role for Lel is one of the "favourite moments" in the opera, and "Lel's dances" are often performed - with clarinet obbligato - as a concert item on their own (usually the third one).

(http://www.novayaopera.ru/pic_lib/1170164492_big_img.jpg)
SNOW MAIDEN at Novaya Opera, Moscow (current production)

I wish I could like Dargomyzhsky's STONE GUEST (his version of the Don Juan story) more than I do.  This is a recording of the Bolshoi's leaden performance of some years back - just listening to the music is preferable, because the production was miserably dull.  It's the bass's evening, and it takes a famous perfomer to bring this piece off.   Frankly you could do much better to listen to Dargomyzhsky's lovely RUSALKA instead :)
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: The new erato on May 13, 2010, 12:56:10 AM
Thanks fpr the exhaustive answer (and welcome to the board BTW; you already are a valuable member), but the Brilliant reissue is The Tchaikovsky Snow Maiden.... Though not knowing Rimski's operas terribly well, your points seems to agree with my own (few) experiences.
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: False_Dmitry on May 13, 2010, 01:53:43 AM
Whoops, I'd missed that!   :o  Must get these glasses checked!   Tchaikovsky's incidental music for SNOW MAIDEN is a rare treat indeed.   I wonder if he planned a ROMEO & JULIET opera too?  There's a love-duet remaining from it, but nothing else I know of.
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: abidoful on May 14, 2010, 10:36:19 AM
Jevgeni Onegin was one of the first operas i got know- and fell in love! I used to listen it over and over again...! The other Tchaikovsky operas i'm not familiar with, besides MAZEPPA which I only heard once. Left me quite cold... I'd like to hear the "MAID OF ORLEANS"!

Then Rachmaninovs operas THE MISERLY KNIGHT and FRANCESCA DA RIMINI are very nice, beautiful vocal writing in the latter for soprano...!
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: bosniajenny on May 22, 2010, 11:31:20 PM
Hello everyone - new member, from UK but currently living in Sarajevo, Bosnia/Herzegovina!

Just to say I lived in Moscow for some years during the '70s, and had the opportunity to see a lot of opera both at the Bolshoi and (then) Kirov. Interestingly, I went to a performance of Gianni Schicci at the Sarajevo opera house the other week, and the supporting work was one of Shostakovich's chamber operas (I can't remember the title, will look it up, but it was about the Soviet approach to music! Politically interesting, perhaps musically not quite so interesting!)

Adore Ruslan, and saw it live at the Bolshoi years ago.....plus all the "big" Russians.

Thanks for this forum, should be fun!
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: jowcol on May 23, 2010, 02:12:01 AM
Opera is not my strong suit, but as a coincidence I've just  found myself addressing Mussorgsky's Khovanschina on another thread, and I can honestly say I like it more the Boris (in either the RK or Shostakovitch versions).  In particulary, the choral writing in the second half is really powerful. 
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: False_Dmitry on May 23, 2010, 08:20:31 AM
Quote from: bosniajenny on May 22, 2010, 11:31:20 PMthe supporting work was one of Shostakovich's chamber operas (I can't remember the title, will look it up, but it was about the Soviet approach to music!

I'd be interested to know what that piece is?  :)
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: listener on May 24, 2010, 12:34:39 PM
Quote from: False_Dmitry on May 23, 2010, 08:20:31 AM
I'd be interested to know what that piece is?  :)
Probably Antiformalistic Rayok (1957/89) a parody of an official meeting of the Union of Soviet Composers, ending in a rejection of formalism in favour of the "people's music"
Alexei Mochalov, bass     Moscow Chamber Music Theatre, Anatoly Levin cond   on the Triton label has it with a good translation and set of notes.  I'll add the cover on my current listening post.

and a second recording on another shelf: Chant du Monde LDC 288075 Russian Musical Satire: Sergei Yakovenko, State Symphonic Cappella    Valery Poliansky, cond., with songs by Dargomyzhsky, Mussorgsky Prokofiev and Kalinnikov.
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: bosniajenny on May 25, 2010, 10:59:38 AM
Yes, that is exactly it! Thank you. Modernism and atonality versus the "people's music". Interesting to see it performed in a country which was at war over Communism/nationalism as recently as 1994.
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Ciel_Rouge on June 19, 2010, 05:39:37 AM
Hi bosniajenny, and how about Russian opera in Bosnia? Is there any chance for a performance there?
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Guido on February 22, 2011, 08:24:54 AM
Where has False Dmitry gone?
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: The new erato on February 22, 2011, 10:48:03 AM
He left soon after joining due to what (IIRC) I consider a minor triffle.
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Mozart on March 27, 2011, 05:14:31 PM
Has anyone seen Glinka's Ruslan and Ludmilla with a young Anna Netrebko? How is it?

http://www.amazon.com/Glinka-Ruslan-Lyudmila-Vladimir-Ognovenko/dp/B000093FQI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1301274756&sr=8-3


I never imagined I'd like Russian opera, but Eugene Onegin hooked me and surprised me, I like it more than most of Verdi's stuff. I'll check out Pique Dame tonight :) 
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: eyeresist on March 27, 2011, 08:32:11 PM
Kabalevsky's Colas Breugnon was apparently popular in its day. There was one Melodiya recording and nothing since, that I know of. The Amazon samples make it seem quite enjoyable, though one of the singers is a bit dodgy.

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31W0XSQCN0L._SL500_AA300_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/Dmitri-Kabalevsky-6/dp/B000003W5M/ref=sr_1_10?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1301286198&sr=1-10)
(Click image for link.)
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: knight66 on March 27, 2011, 10:25:19 PM
Quote from: Mozart on March 27, 2011, 05:14:31 PM
I never imagined I'd like Russian opera, but Eugene Onegin hooked me and surprised me, I like it more than most of Verdi's stuff. I'll check out Pique Dame tonight :)

I have never managed to crack Pique Dame, how did you find it?

Mike
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: mc ukrneal on March 27, 2011, 10:54:58 PM
Quote from: Mozart on March 27, 2011, 05:14:31 PM
Has anyone seen Glinka's Ruslan and Ludmilla with a young Anna Netrebko? How is it?

http://www.amazon.com/Glinka-Ruslan-Lyudmila-Vladimir-Ognovenko/dp/B000093FQI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1301274756&sr=8-3


I never imagined I'd like Russian opera, but Eugene Onegin hooked me and surprised me, I like it more than most of Verdi's stuff. I'll check out Pique Dame tonight :)
That Ruslan and Ludmila is quite good - good singing all around (very good cast) and quality playing. It's not like you have much choice though. This same set can be found on cd, as can a couple older ones. But that is all that is available to my knowledge.
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Florestan on March 29, 2011, 03:59:03 AM
(Posted this sometimes ago on "What are you listening to?" thread, but I think its proper place is rather here.)

(http://cover7.cduniverse.com/MuzeAudioArt/Large/01/1369701.jpg)

This is quite Monteverdian in outlook, if I may risk a rather strange comparison: a Russian dramma per musica with minimal but effective orchestral accompaniment and, except two romances in the second scene of Act One (one of them strongly reminiscent of Glinka's Jota Aragonesa), with nothing in terms of clearly delineated arias or duettos --- just a continuous flow of more or less melodic recitatives. It's very short --- slightly over an hour --- but quite compelling drammatically.

The libretto was penned by Dargomyzhsky himself after Pushkin. Not having access to it, I had to recourse to the distant recollections of my secondary school Russian lessons, and lo and behold! they proved serviceable enough to allow me following the story --- of course, English synopsis in hand.

This is the only version I've ever heard of this opera so I can't make any comparisons in terms of performance. Nikolai Vassiliev sings a very cynical Don Juan, with no redeeming features until the last minutes of the Third Act, when he declares his sincere love for Donna Anna in a mellifluous "aria" accompanied by a truly heartfelt cello solo soaring over a muted orchestra --- a very touching moment indeed.

I would have been happier, though, if Donna Anna was sung by mezzo-soprano Tatyana Erastova and Laura by soprano Marina Lapina, instead of the actual other way around. The voice of the former is more suited to a woman who's been through the torments of Donna Anna than to an 18-year old frivolous actress who lives like there's no tomorrow. I know that it's the composers who wanted the voices that way, but it's quite a misjudgment, IMHO.

The atmospheric and unusualy thin and soft (for a Russian opera) orchestral accompaniment is handled convincingly by the Bolshoy Theater Orchestra under Andrei Chistyakov.

All in all, it's an enjoyable disc and considering its unbeatable price (picked it up in a bookstore for $6.5 / 4.7 Euro) I'd recommend it to anyone interested in a Russian take on Don Juan coming in the guise of a rarely performed opera.
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Superhorn on March 29, 2011, 07:49:28 AM
   Have you heard "The Stoned Guest" by the immortal P.D.Q. Bach ?
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Florestan on March 29, 2011, 10:32:49 AM
Quote from: Superhorn on March 29, 2011, 07:49:28 AM
   Have you heard "The Stoned Guest" by the immortal P.D.Q. Bach ?

No, but I imagine it is a parody of... of what?  :)
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: yashin on April 01, 2011, 05:24:42 AM
What about Anton Rubensteins "The Demon" or "Der Damon" as it is often called. Sung in Russian.  I have two recordings.

http://www.amazon.com/Rubinstein-Demon-Complete-Opera/dp/B00000464M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1301663765&sr=1-1-spell

Which is a live version from the Wexford festival, I must admit it is very 'live' in the sense of stage movement noise

and

http://www.amazon.com/Demon-Rubinstein/dp/B00000DMIC/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1301663801&sr=1-11-spell

This one i much prefer. I am a fan of the conductor Fedoseyev.  The opera has some beautiful moments and is well worth seeking out.

As for 'The queen of spades/Pique Dame' how about this live version from Russia and the same conductor.  I must admit it is my favourite

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pique-Dame-Pyotr-Ilyich-Tchaikovsky/dp/images/B00008Z1TR

I never forget seeing Gegam Grigorian singing the part of Hermann a few years ago now in Manchester UK at the Bridgewater Hall. It was sensational.

I am not sure if either of these tenors can erase the sound of Georg Nelepp from this version

http://www.amazon.com/Tchaikovsky-Queen-Spades-Alexei-Ivanov/dp/B00005O7YV/ref=sr_1_25?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1301664157&sr=1-25

I generally love Russian Opera, need to buy more i think and improve my collection



Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: The new erato on April 01, 2011, 06:02:32 AM
Quote from: Il Conte Rodolfo on March 29, 2011, 10:32:49 AM
No, but I imagine it is a parody of... of what?  :)
Don Giovanni? ;)
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Harry Powell on April 01, 2011, 10:25:49 AM
Quote from: yashin on April 01, 2011, 05:24:42 AM


I am not sure if either of these tenors can erase the sound of Georg Nelepp from this version

http://www.amazon.com/Tchaikovsky-Queen-Spades-Alexei-Ivanov/dp/B00005O7YV/ref=sr_1_25?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1301664157&sr=1-25

I think no one has approached Nelepp's Herman.
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Mozart on April 01, 2011, 07:19:28 PM
Quote from: knight66 on March 27, 2011, 10:25:19 PM
I have never managed to crack Pique Dame, how did you find it?

Mike

I can't say it bored me, but I haven't managed to make it through act 2 yet for one reason or another. I think it might be lacking the complex, realistic characters that Eugene Onegin has. Somehow I feel it won't become a favorite once I get through it, although I wouldn't mind seeing it live sometime.
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Brahmsian on July 22, 2011, 03:58:10 PM
Shostakovich, The Nose, on DVD.  What does everyone recommend?  Please and thanks!  8) :)
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: PaulR on July 22, 2011, 05:01:06 PM
Quote from: ChamberNut on July 22, 2011, 03:58:10 PM
Shostakovich, The Nose, on DVD.  What does everyone recommend?  Please and thanks!  8) :)
I only know of one DVD:  http://www.amazon.com/Shostakovich-Nose/dp/B003QWVPRQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1311382665&sr=8-3

I would love to know if there is another DVD.  I didn't finish watching, but it seemed a little bit strange.  It appeared as if the motions of the mouth didn't match up with the voices.  Could have been just me, or an editing issue.  I don't know.

The CD that Gergiev has out of the Nose is great though.  Wish he would do a DVD of it though
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Brahmsian on July 22, 2011, 05:17:30 PM
Quote from: paulrbass on July 22, 2011, 05:01:06 PM
I only know of one DVD:  http://www.amazon.com/Shostakovich-Nose/dp/B003QWVPRQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1311382665&sr=8-3

I would love to know if there is another DVD.  I didn't finish watching, but it seemed a little bit strange.  It appeared as if the motions of the mouth didn't match up with the voices.  Could have been just me, or an editing issue.  I don't know.

The CD that Gergiev has out of the Nose is great though.  Wish he would do a DVD of it though

Thanks Paul.  What a shame there is only one DVD recording.  :(
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: PaulR on July 22, 2011, 05:19:10 PM
Quote from: ChamberNut on July 22, 2011, 05:17:30 PM
Thanks Paul.  What a shame there is only one DVD recording.  :(
I'm hoping I am wrong though  :P

Even though I like Lady Macbeth more, I still like The Nose a lot.  I wish the production at the Met was taped for DVD, I really enjoyed the production when I saw it last year
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Brahmsian on July 22, 2011, 05:21:59 PM
Quote from: paulrbass on July 22, 2011, 05:19:10 PM
I'm hoping I am wrong though  :P

Even though I like Lady Macbeth more, I still like The Nose a lot.  I wish the production at the Met was taped for DVD, I really enjoyed the production when I saw it last year

I ABSOLUTELY ADORE this production of Lady Macbeth......fantastic, burlesque, just superb in every possible way!!

[asin]B000JJRACI[/asin]
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: PaulR on July 22, 2011, 05:23:34 PM
Quote from: ChamberNut on July 22, 2011, 05:21:59 PM
I ABSOLUTELY ADORE this production of Lady Macbeth......fantastic, burlesque, just superb in every possible way!!
(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000JJRACI.01.L.jpg)
I love that DVD too, as well as the Rostropovich CD of it.  I have another DVD of Lady Macbeth, but it's not as good as that one
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Brahmsian on July 22, 2011, 05:25:49 PM
Quote from: paulrbass on July 22, 2011, 05:23:34 PM
I love that DVD too, as well as the Rostropovich CD of it.  I have another DVD of Lady Macbeth, but it's not as good as that one

I think Eva-Maria Westbroek is so sexy in this.   :)
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Brahmsian on July 22, 2011, 06:29:34 PM
Quote from: paulrbass on July 22, 2011, 05:01:06 PM

The CD that Gergiev has out of the Nose is great though.  Wish he would do a DVD of it though

I wonder if there will be one coming out for this, eventually?  Unless it was of course, a purely studio recording.
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: bhodges on July 22, 2011, 06:39:11 PM
Quote from: paulrbass on July 22, 2011, 05:19:10 PM
I'm hoping I am wrong though  :P

Even though I like Lady Macbeth more, I still like The Nose a lot.  I wish the production at the Met was taped for DVD, I really enjoyed the production when I saw it last year

I loved that production of The Nose (conceived and designed by the South African artist William Kentridge), and was a little dispirited to find out that the Met hadn't chosen it for one of its live movie theater broadcasts. (If nothing else, how can you not be charmed by a guy in a giant nose costume running around the stage? ;D) After the movie showings, some of these broadcasts have then been released on DVD, and I was hoping that this would be the case here. Oh well...

--Bruce
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: PaulR on July 22, 2011, 07:19:55 PM
Quote from: Brewski on July 22, 2011, 06:39:11 PM
I loved that production of The Nose (conceived and designed by the South African artist William Kentridge), and was a little dispirited to find out that the Met hadn't chosen it for one of its live movie theater broadcasts. (If nothing else, how can you not be charmed by a guy in a giant nose costume running around the stage? ;D ) After the movie showings, some of these broadcasts have then been released on DVD, and I was hoping that this would be the case here. Oh well...

--Bruce
Not being in the theaters did have one advantage, got me to actually go to the Met.....Which was a fantastic experience, even despite the lousy weather getting back to Buffalo.  (I wanted to fly back on that Saturday, but.....it was that day with 70mph wind, plus rain....flight was canceled....had to take the train back).  I think seeing it live was far more impressive than seeing it in theaters.  :D

I guess there is still hope that it could still be made into a DVD.  I would buy it :D 

My next trip down to the Met will probably be for their production of Khovanschina, which luckily falls (One of the dates) during my spring break, and the day before my birthday :D
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: bhodges on July 22, 2011, 07:31:28 PM
Quote from: paulrbass on July 22, 2011, 07:19:55 PM
Not being in the theaters did have one advantage, got me to actually go to the Met.....Which was a fantastic experience, even despite the lousy weather getting back to Buffalo.  (I wanted to fly back on that Saturday, but.....it was that day with 70mph wind, plus rain....flight was canceled....had to take the train back).  I think seeing it live was far more impressive than seeing it in theaters.  :D

I guess there is still hope that it could still be made into a DVD.  I would buy it :D 

My next trip down to the Met will probably be for their production of Khovanschina, which luckily falls (One of the dates) during my spring break, and the day before my birthday :D

Yes, yes, yes to everything - seeing it in person was the way to go. (And who knows when it will return - if ever - so you may have a memory to savor for a very long time.)

I saw this production of Khovanschina c. 1985 (when it debuted) and enjoyed it a lot, especially the last scene, so you are in for a treat - what a nice way to celebrate a birthday! According to the Met database, it hasn't been seen since 1999.

--Bruce
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: Wendell_E on July 23, 2011, 02:57:22 AM
Quote from: Brewski on July 22, 2011, 06:39:11 PM
I loved that production of The Nose (conceived and designed by the South African artist William Kentridge), and was a little dispirited to find out that the Met hadn't chosen it for one of its live movie theater broadcasts. (If nothing else, how can you not be charmed by a guy in a giant nose costume running around the stage? ;D) After the movie showings, some of these broadcasts have then been released on DVD, and I was hoping that this would be the case here. Oh well...

--Bruce

The Nose is supposed to return to the Met in 2013-14, perhaps it'll come to movie theatres then.  Also, it was a co-production with the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence, and the Opéra National de Lyon, so maybe one of those performances was filmed.  I heard a live broadcast of a Lyons performance on Bastille Day.  Different conductor and some different singers from the Met performances:

Direction musicale : Kazushi Ono
Orchestre : Orchestre de l'Opéra national de Lyon
Choeur : Choeur de l'Opéra national de Lyon
Chef de choeur : Alan Woodbridge
Mise en scène et vidéo : William Kentridge

Distribution:
     
Kovaliov : Vladimir Samsonov
Le Nez : Alexander Kravets
L'Inspecteur de police : Andreï Popov
Ivan Yakovlévitch : Vladimir Ognovenko
Praskovia Ossipovna : Claudia Waite
Ivan le domestique : Vassily Efimov
Le Fonctionnaire du journal : Yuri Kissin
Le Docteur : Gennady Bezzubenkov
Madame Podtotchina : Margarita Nekrasova
La Fille de Madame Podtotchina : Tehmine Yeghiazaryan
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: pjme on October 17, 2020, 07:45:26 AM
Yesterday, on TV, Rimsky Korsakov: The golden cockerel.

Great fun, inspite of the rather kitschy sets and costumes (a mix of Japanese No theater, Ballets Russes & Cecil B.DeMille).
Great voices ( Barry Banks as the astrologer!!), tons of tunes and a brillant orchestra.

From the Théâtre Musical de Paris, Châtelet, 2002
Opera in three acts by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and libretto by Vladimir Belsky based on Alexander Pushkin's poem The Tale of the Golden Cockerel.
St. Petersburg Mariinsky Theatre Chorus
Andrei Petrenko - conductor

Orchestre de Paris
Kent Nagano - conductor

King Dodon - Albert Schagidullin
Prince Guidon - Ilya Levinsky
Prince Afron - Andrei Breus 
General Polkan - Ilya Bannik
Amelfa - Elena Manistina
Astrologer - Barry Banks
Queen of Shemakha - Olga Trifonova 
The Golden Cockerel - Yuri Maria Saenz
Title: Re: Russian Operas
Post by: pjme on October 18, 2020, 07:13:40 AM
And today even more great fun in a superb production from Paris:
Prokofiev: l'Amour des trois oranges.
(and again a wonderful Barry Banks!)
Mise en scène : Gilbert Deflo
Décors & costumes : William Orlandi
Lumières : Joël Hourbeigt
Chorégraphie : Marta Ferri

Philippe Rouillon : le Roi de Trèfle
Charles Workman : le Prince
Hannah Esther Minutillo : la Princesse Clarice
Guillaume Antoine : Léandre
Barry Banks : Truffaldino
Jean-Luc Ballestra : Pantalon
José van Dam : Tchélio
Béatrice Uria-Monzon : Fata Morgana
Letitia Singleton : Linette
Natacha Constantin : Nicolette
Aleksandra Zamojska : Ninette
Victor von Halem : la Cuisinière
Jean-Sébastien Bou : Farfarello
Lucia Cirillo : Sméraldine
Nicolas Marie : le Maître de cérémonies
David Bizic : le Héraut

Orchestre et Chœurs de l'Opéra de Paris
Direction musicale : Sylvain Cambreling

Enregistré à l'Opéra National de Paris-Bastille en décembre 2005