13 June 2021 (Sun), 18:00 Mikhailovsky Classical Ballet and Opera Theatre (established 1833) - ! PREMIERE ! Opera Pyotr Tchaikovsky "The Oprichnik" (opera in four acts)
Running time: 2 hours 40 minutes (till 20:40)
The performance has 1 intermission
Schedule for Pyotr Tchaikovsky "The Oprichnik" (opera in four acts) 2022
Composer: Peter Tchaikovsky
Orchestra: Mikhailovsky Symphony Orchestra Opera company: Mikhailovsky Opera
Opera in 4 act
Premiere of this production: 12 April 1874, St. Petersburg
CREDITS
Libretto by Pyotr Tchaikovsky after the tragedy by Ivan Lazhechnikov
Musical Director of the production: Alexander Soloviev Stage Director: Sergey Novikov Stage and Costume Design: Alexander Kupalian Video Designer: Dmitry Kostyaev Lighting Designer: Alexander Kibitkin Principal Chorus Master and Artistic Director of Mikhailovsky Chorus: Vladimir Stolpovskikh Surtitles: Margarita Kunitsyna-Tankevich Drawings by Apollinary Vasnetsov are used for the video content
Première of the production at the Mikhailovsky Theatre: 18 May 2021
The era of Ivan the Terrible left a bloody mark on Russian history. The tsar saw traitors everywhere, and his oprichniki — the guardsmen — received special powers to fight them. These petty noblemen carried out reprisals against apostates without trial. A thirst for revenge for his ruined family pushes young boyar Andrei Morozov to join the ranks of these imperial guards. But this act leads to unimaginable consequences.
The world première of the opera took place on 12 April 1874 in St. Petersburg, conducted by Eduard Napravnik. Director Sergey Novikov, stage designer Alexander Kupalian, and conductor Alexander Soloviev are working on the Mikhailovsky Theatre’s production.
Synopsis
Moscow. Second half of the 16th century. Ivan the Terrible sees traitors everywhere, and his oprichniks receive special powers to fight them. They look for “traitors” and execute then without trial. A thirst for revenge for his ruined family pushes the young Boyar Andrey Morozov to join the ranks of these imperial guards. But this act leads to unimaginable consequences.
Scene 1 Prince Zhemchuzhny’s garden that used to belong to Boyar Morozov. The Prince promises his daughter Natalia in marriage to the old Boyar Molchan Mitkov. Natalia was promised to Andrey Morozov but Prince Zhemchuzhny has changed his mind: after Andrey’s father fell in battle, Zhemchuzhny defraud his house and kicked Andrey and his mother out of it. Natalia is desperate as she is still in love with Andrey.
Andrey Morozov arrives with oprichnik Basmanov, the Tsar’s favourite. He wants to see Natalia before his visit to the Tsar: Andrey hopes that the Tsar will serve justice upon Zhemchuzhny. On Basmanov’s advice, Andrey decides to become an oprichnik in order to take revenge on Zhemchuzhny. When they leave, Natalia returns and mourns her fate, unconsoled by the singing and dancing of her maids.
Scene 2
Andrey’s mother, the Boyarynya Morozova, laments on her misfortunes and worries about Andrey. Andrey comes to ask her permission to leave for Aleksandrovskaya Sloboda. Andrey does not dare to tell her of his plans to join oprichniks. Morozova gives him her blessing. She craves for vengeance no less then her son but her heart is heavy.
Scene 3
Aleksandrovskaya Sloboda. Sentenced “traitors” pray for their souls. Oprichniks led by Vyazminsky beat up the prisoners.
The Tsar has decided to enroll Andrey to oprichnina. In an agony of doubt, Andrey takes his oath. Vyazminsky makes Andrey kill a young prisoner to prove his loyalty.
Scene 4
Cathedral in Moscow. People pray for the Tsar’s return to the capital. Morozova prays for her son. Boys taunt her as “oprichnik’s mother”. Natalia runs into Morozova’s arms for protection from the pursuing Zhemchuzhny and her old groom. Zhemchuzhny tells his servants to seize his disobedient daughter. Suddenly oprichniks, led by Basmanov and
Andrey, appear. Zhemchuzhny is defeated and Natalia is free. Andrey exults in his victory, but Morozova condemns her son for joining oprichniks.
Andrey is stunned at this turn of events. Basmanov suggests that the Tsar might consent to release him from his oath.
Wedding of Natalia and Andrey. Andrey is to be released from his oath at midnight. Oprichniks congratulate the newly-weds but they cannot hide their contempt for noble boyars, relatives of Natalia and Andrey. Oprichniks taunt Zhemchuzhny, but Andrey stands up for his father-in-law.
Before midnight, Prince Vyazminsky interrupts the festivities with news that the Tsar has sent for Natalia: he wants to meet her in private. Despite Vyazminsky’s insistence that this is only a test of Andrey’s loyalty, Andrey breaks his oath by refusing to let her go. Executioners erect their scaffolding. The triumphant Prince Vyazminsky makes Morozova watch Andrey’s execution.
The Tsar arrives from his chambers. He casually witnesses execution, sets Zhemchuzhny free and consoles Natalia. The chorus of oprichniks praise the tsar.
Schedule for Pyotr Tchaikovsky "The Oprichnik" (opera in four acts) 2022
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