Organization

Chief Conductor

Mykola Diadiura

Concertmasters

ORLYUK Svitlana

Natalia Romenskaya

Video designer

Studio Front Pictures

Singer

Baritone

Alexander Melnichuk

Messenger

Soprano

GANINA Tatiana

Militrisa

Bass

Bogdan Taras

Buffoon

Conductor

UNCLE Mykola

Taras Shtonda

Tsar Saltan

Sergii Kovnir

Viacheslav Bazyr

Victoria Chenska

Mezzo-soprano

Irina Petrova

The weaver

Natalia Nikolaishin

Cook

Tamara Kalinkina

Olga Matushenko

Contralto

Angelina Seamstress

Matchmaker-Crone

Tetiana Piminova

Tenor

Sergii Pashchuk

Prince Gvidon

Dmitry Kozin

Sergii Skochelyas

Olga Nagorna

Swan-Princess

Liliia Grevtsova

Olga Fomichova

Andriy Maslakov

Alexander Dyachenko

Old man

Ruslan Tanskyi

First sailor

Mykhailo Kirishev

Second sailor

Alexander Boyko

Dmytro Ageiev

Third sailor

Yuriy Goryn

Oleksandr Milev

Marat Ramov

Bumblebee

Stage director

Anatoliy Solovyanenko

Set designer

Maria Levitskaya

Choreographer

Viktor Yaremenko

Chorus master

Bogdan Plish

Alexander Tarasenko

Viktoria Savenko

Liana Kosovich

National Opera of Ukraine

Russian

The Tale of Tsar Saltan

Kyiv

Ukraine

Main Stage

Kyiv National Operetta Theatre

The Tale of Tsar Saltan Rimsky-Korsakov

Public

Approved

THE WORLD OF PUSHKIN'S FAIRY TALE

Nikolai Andreevich Rimsky-Korsakov, who belongs to the constellation of outstanding figures of Russian culture of the XIX century, is considered an artist with encyclopedic abilities - a brilliant composer, an outstanding teacher who founded his school, conductor-practitioner, author of theoretical works on orchestra ("Fundamentals of Orchestration"). harmony ("Practical textbook of harmony"), articles on music education, music writer who wrote a memoir "Chronicle of my musical life." The composer's personality harmoniously combined all the diversity of his talents. After all, it is harmony, as a strict harmony of the elements of the universe, was inherent in the work and versatility of Rimsky-Korsakov. He is the author of fifteen operas, including "Pskov", "May Night", "The Night Before Christmas", "The Tsar's Bride". In his work are beautiful symphonic works: overtures, symphonies, suites "Sheherazade",

The most favorite for the composer was the world of Russian fairy tales, based on folk art, where bright rites, holidays, peasant songs, folk tales, pictures of nature are displayed. "Everything that sounds in the world and reveals life through sound is reflected in the sound poetry of Rimsky-Korsakov," wrote Academician BV Asafyev. His opera tales are multifaceted: the fairy tale "The Tale of Tsar Saltan", the fairy tale-symbol "The Immortal Bone", the satire tale "Golden Rooster", the spring fairy tale "Snow Maiden", the fairy tale "Sadko", the fairy tale-chronicle "Legends" about the invisible castle of Kitezh and the virgin Fevronia ". But a fairy tale for a composer is not an escape from reality. It is a reflection of reality through artistic images, albeit fantastic at first glance, but inherently related to life. M. Rimsky-Korsakov saw in fairy tales a wide space for creative imagination,

For Rimsky-Korsakov, the 1890s were years of hard creative work - after finishing one great work, he began the next. During this period, "The Night Before Christmas", "Sadko", "The Tsar's Bride" were written. During the same period, in 1895, M. Rimsky-Korsakov visited Kyiv, where in January the premiere of "Snow Maiden" took place with great success. The composer worked closely with the directors, attended all rehearsals. After the premiere, the audience gave a long standing ovation to M. Rimsky-Korsakov, the actors brought the composer to the stage, covered with flowers and presented a silver wreath. On his creative rise, the composer embarks on a new opera, returning to his favorite world of Russian fairy tales. This is a new opera - "The Tale of Tsar Saltan, his son, the glorious and powerful hero Prince Gvidon Saltanovich, and the beautiful Swan Princess" (1899-1900). Son of M. Rimsky-Korsakov Andriy Mykolayovych recalled a light, happy mood that did not leave his father while working on "Saltan": Mykola Andriyovych was happy with the anticipation of staging "The Tsar's Bride" ... He is full of desire to write again. In his hands he has an amazing pearl of Pushkin's fairy tale. And here, moreover, is the historic Pushkin year ... ”

In 1899 it was one hundred years since the birth of the great poet. Of course, Rimsky-Korsakov could not pass such a significant event. The composer paid tribute to the works of Alexander Pushkin in the opera "Mozart and Salieri", cantata "Song of the Prophet Oleg", two concert ariozo for bass and orchestra - "Anchar" and "The Prophet", in a series of beautiful lyrical romances.

Choosing Pushkin's work for the new opera "The Tale of Tsar Saltan", Rimsky-Korsakov turned to a work close to him in spirit. The connection with the folklore tradition, with the folk tale, with the obligatory victory of good gave the opportunity to create an opera, which in a festive way, just as the composer wanted, honored the anniversary of the Russian poet.

The libretto of the opera was written by Volodymyr Belsky, who had already participated in the creation of the libretto of the opera Sadko. 'An intelligent, educated man, a scientist who graduated from two faculties - law and natural sciences, moreover a great mathematician, Vladimir Ivanovich was a great connoisseur and admirer of Russian antiquity and ancient n literature - epics, songs, etc. In this humble, shame' it was impossible for an angry and honest man to imagine the knowledge and the mind that came out when he first met him. A passionate connoisseur of music, he was one of the ardent admirers of Russian music in general and, in particular, my works, "the composer wrote in the Chronicle.

Bielsky belonged to the circle of young enthusiasts of music art, which was formed around Rimsky-Korsakov in 1880-1890. Noticing his special attitude to his music back in 1895, the composer commissioned him to write the libretto for the third picture "Sadko". Since then, Bielski has been constantly collaborating with the composer. According to Rimsky-Korsakov, he wrote a "wonderful libretto" for "The Tale of Tsar Saltan", using, as far as possible, Pushkin's text and artistically and skillfully forging it. "

The main plot lines of Pushkin's fairy tale are preserved in the opera. King Saltan, who chose the younger of his sisters as his wife because she promised to "give birth to a hero"; the insidious deeds of "Baba Babarykha's matchmaker" and the sisters who hated the new queen (in the opera Militris); the queen's voyage with Gvidon in a barrel; Buyan Island, where Gvidon saves the Swan by killing an evil wizard, and as a reward receives the kingdom (the city of Lollipop) and his wife - the Swan-Bird, who becomes a princess; Gvidon's flight, which became a bumblebee, to his homeland and the scene with the shipbuilders; and finally - the arrival of Saltan to Gvidon and his meeting with Militris - these are the main episodes of the opera, which completely coincide with Pushkin's tale. At the same time, many scenes have been expanded - without this, the stage embodiment of Pushkin's laconic tale would have been impossible. New actors appeared - Old Grandfather, Skomorokh,

The additions introduced by Bielski and Rimsky-Korsakov largely added a new color to the plot. The opera retains the humorous color of Pushkin's fairy tale, although sometimes the humor acquires an ironic and even satirical tone.

Salta and Saltan's kingdom in the opera are to some extent contrasted with the kingdom of Gvidon and the Swan Princess - the city of Lollipop on the island of Buyani, depicting which the librettist and composer added new touches to Pushkin's plot. The city of Lollipop is not only a magical hail with unseen wonders. In the choir of the inhabitants of Lollipop, who meet and greet Gvidon, there are words that proclaim the basics of life in this fabulous city: to love the world, to collect flowers of enlightenment, to reap the fruits of labor. It is clear that the peaceful life on the island of Buyani is opposed to the wars "through torn posts", which are forced to lead the people of the kingdom of Saltan.

One of the brightest images in the opera - The Swan Princess, which became the embodiment of the wise beauty of a Russian fairy tale, is shrouded in something extraordinary, poetic and dreamy. The music conveys the majestic flow of a beautiful bird by the waves of the sea and the overflow of bird trills, which turn into a wide Russian singing melody. Swan's voice sounds like an allegedly unknown amazing instrument. Like the Sea Princess in Sadko, the Swan is initially inseparable from nature, and only gradually is it transformed into a fairy-tale beauty.

MA Rimsky-Korsakov in "The Tale of Tsar Saltan" reinterpreted the fairy-tale opera genre, giving it elements of loveliness, humorous songs, theatrical folk festivals. The naive, sometimes "naughty" nature of the music is emphasized in many episodes of the opera. The composer, whom BV Asafyev considered a "real poet of the orchestra", filled the opera with complete symphonic paintings, in which he described the wonders of Buyan Island - a squirrel who "bites a nut of gold" and "leads a song" "Oh in the garden, in the garden ! ”Suggested by Pushkin, thirty-three heroes and Uncle Chornomor, who perform to a courageous, marching militant melody against the background of the accompaniment, where you can hear the menacing roar of the stormy surf.

One of the most popular episodes of the opera - the flight of a bumblebee, a humorous, brilliant scherzo, the melody of which resembles buzzing - is one of the typical Rimsky-Korsakov sounds, "overheard in nature." The composer always carried with him a notebook, in which he wrote down the sounds that suddenly came to mind - a melody, a sequence of consonances or "voices of nature": the buzzing of a bee, bumblebee, beetle, the squeak of a mosquito.

Especially colorful in the opera is the most beloved Roman-Korsakov element of the sea. As an eighteen-year-old composer, he graduated from the Marine Corps in St. Petersburg, repeatedly went on long voyages, visiting many countries. In the opera, the sea, according to Academician BV Asafyev, “splashes majestically, rising in scattering waves, and in a moment ... breathes calmly, sways gently and tenderly. At times, the blowing breeze disrupts the measured burst of the water element, giving birth to an intermittent rhythm: trembling nerve waves spill over the surface. But calm again ... the wind blows again: foaming violently, waves rushing ashore in a frenzy, carrying thirty-three knights with Uncle Chernomor. Or solemnly, in the brilliant sound of a full-blown orchestra, the sea will sparkle in the bright glow of the day,

The composer gave the right to direct the first production of "Tales of Tsar Saltan" to the Russian Private Opera. The success of the opera became clear to the public from the first performances. This was facilitated by the diligent work of conductor Mikhail Ippolitov-Ivanov and participation in the premiere performances of the best artists of the troupe: Gvidon sang Anton Sekar-Rozhansky, Militris - Elena Tsvetkova, Tkachikha - beautiful actress Alexander Rostovtsev, Old Grandfather - Vasyl Shtalfer . The poetic image of the Swan Princess was created by the outstanding Russian opera singer Nadezhda Zabela-Vrubel. According to one of her contemporaries, she was "the most real", allegedly coming from the living world of a Russian fairy tale. "

The artistic design of the play - scenery and costumes, was created by Mikhail Vrubel, an artist who glorified his name in almost all genres of fine arts: painting, graphics, decorative sculpture, theater. Apollinarii Vasnetsov (brother of the famous Russian artist Viktor Vasnetsov), who was then a theatrical artist, wrote on the basis of his sketches of the scenery.

Mikhail Alexandrovich Vrubel - a deeply original artist - felt and loved the music of Rimsky-Korsakov, whose work inspired the artist to the paintings "Princess of the Sea" and "Princess Swan", the prototype of which was his wife Nadezhda Zabela, and a number of drawings. In turn, the composer dedicated to him the romance "A Midsummer Night's Dream".

The history of productions of "Tales of Tsar Saltan" on the stage of the Taras Shevchenko National Opera of Ukraine is ancient and interesting. The opera was first staged on January 31, 1908 by conductor Eugenio Esposito, under whose direction the premiere of M. Rimsky-Korsakov's opera Sadko took place in 1897 at the Moscow Private Russian Opera. The director of the play is Mykola Bogolyubov, the artist is Semyon Evenbach. Among the performers of the main parts in this production is Leonida Balanovska, who played the role of Militrice. The singer had a unique voice of a huge range.

On the eve of the official opening of the next theatrical season on September 1, 1911 by order of Governor-General FF Trepov in the Kiev theater showed a solemn holiday play "Fairy Tales of Tsar Saltan" for distinguished guests led by Russian Emperor Nicholas II, who arrived in Kiev on the occasion of the unveiling of the monument to Alexander II. In the intermission after the second act, Russian Prime Minister Peter Stolypin was assassinated and mortally wounded.

The next premiere of "Fairy Tales" took place on September 1, 1917 under the direction of conductor Mikhail Steiman, director of the play - Alexander Ulukhanov, artist - Semyon Evenbach. Famous vocalists Kateryna Voronets, Marta Baratova, Maryna Skybytska, Olga Monska, Fedir Oreshkevych, and Vasyl Lubentsov performed solo parts.

Mikhail Donets created a colorful image of Tsar Saltan, skillfully depicting it with satirical and comedic means. The brave prince Gvidon was performed by the brilliant singer Mykhailo Mykysha. The young talented singer, the owner of lyric-coloratura soprano Maria Tesseir, made her debut in this fantastic and fairy-tale performance. She created a poetic image of the amazing beauty Princess Swan, who became the personification of high art, inspired poetry and beauty.

The theater repeatedly turned to the masterpiece of M. Rimsky-Korsakov during the seasons of 1922-23, 1927-28, 1929-30. directors - Semyon Evenbach, Alexander Khvostenko-Khvostov.

In 1949, 150 years passed since the birth of Alexander Pushkin. The theater marked the anniversary with the staging of M. Rimsky-Korsakov's opera "The Tale of Tsar Saltan" translated from the libretto by Pavel Tychyna. The conductor-producer of the play was Veniamin Tolba, the stage production was performed by Mykhailo Stefanovych. The artist O. Khvostenko-Khvostov made the design of "Fairy Tales" in the style of Palekh masters and interesting costumes in color. The inspired poetry of Pushkin's fairy tale came to life in the images of Saltan - Mykhailo Romensky and Borys Hmyr, Militris - Alexander Stanislavov, Vera Guzhova and Lilia Lobanova, Gvidon - Victor Boryschenko and Semen Kogan, Princess Swans - Maria Bem and Elizaveta Chavyda, Rukhary and Povda, Tka Nina Goncharenko, Bronislava Polyakova and Rimma Razumova, Babarykha - Eleonora Tomm and Zinaida Kushnaryova, Old Grandfather - Ivan Kuchenko.

MA Rimsky-Korsakov's music has been played on the Kyiv stage for over a century. Of the composer's fifteen operas, eight have been staged at various times, to which theatrical artists have repeatedly referred. "The Tsar's Bride" was staged 7 times, "Sadko" - 6, "Snow Maiden" - 5, "Golden Rooster" - 4, 3 times - "May Night" and "The Night Before Christmas", and the opera "Mozart and Salieri ". Choreographers turned to MA Rimsky-Korsakov's symphonic music, staging the ballets Scheherazade (4 productions) and The Italian Capriccio. Currently, the repertoire of the National Opera of Ukraine includes the ballet Sheherazade. The production of "Fairy Tales of Tsar Saltan" is a wonderful contribution to the multifaceted cultural treasury, which will always be of interest to new and new generations of music lovers.

English

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Crew