Opera Mussorgsky "Sorochintsy Fair" Opera in three acts (semi-staged version) World famous Mariinsky Ballet and Opera - Mariinsky II (New Theatre)
Schedule for Mussorgsky "Sorochintsy Fair" Opera in three acts (semi-staged version) 2022
Composer: Modest Mussorgsky Musical Preparation: Larisa Gergieva Principal Chorus Master: Pavel Teplov Director: Vadim Milkov
Orchestra: Mariinsky Theatre Symphony Orchestra
Opera in 3 acts
Music by Modest Musorgsky Libretto by the composer with
the participation of A.A. Golenithsev-Kutusov after the tale of
the same name by N.V. Gogol
Director: Vadim Milkov Musical Preparation: Larisa Gergieva
Chorus Master: Pavel Teplov
“How intoxicating, how magnificent
is a summer day in Little Russia!” begins Gogol’s Sorochintsy
Fair, with several masterstrokes further depicting a truly enchanting
scene of Ukrainian nature “on a hot day in August.” On just
such a day in August 1879 Musorgsky – arriving in Ukraine
for the first time (he was accompanying the singer Daria Leonova
as an accompanist and pianist on a concert tour) –
wrote to his friends in admiration: “But if you saw the vast
expanses of the Ukrainian steppes, if you saw the twinkling sky,
all adorned with stars, through the air all light
and at the same time dark as a sapphire, if you breathed
the southern Russian air that almost draws one’s lungs and heart out
of one’s chest, so gentle that one wants to live and live forever
and ever!” Musorgsky was proud that the music of Sorochintsy
Fair (1874–1881) which he composed at that time was close to and
understood by Ukrainians, that it was acclaimed as “truly
of the people” and “was highly approved of everywhere.”
The composer heard and took down Ukrainian folk songs, learned
the particular nature of the Ukrainian dialect and its
creative depiction in Gogol’s prose. But Musorgsky saw his opera not just
as a complex artistic task; it is believed that composing it brought its
creator spiritual repose and joy. Sorochintsy Fair is Musorgsky’s
lightest and most poetic work, filled with humour and warm lyricism.
The composer called his opera “comical” and this is indeed
the case: everything presented in it (the trading
at the market, the love intrigues of Parasya
and Khivrya, the “terrifying” fantastical scenes
of the witches’ Sabbath in the Lad’s dream-like vision, not
to mention the scene of Popovich and Khivrya) is bathed
in Gogol and Musorgsky’s gentle humour. I use the word
“presented” deliberately: in the manuscript score, the composer
added the jokey note to the role of the Gypsy “director
of comedy”. The varied scenes that unfold in the opera
to a great extent take place because of the Gypsy and his
presence as a “stage director” so that he can subsequently tell
the tale as well as the tale of Krasnaya Svitka.
Sorochintsy Fair remained uncompleted; as with two other operas
by Musorgsky – Salammbф and Khovanshchina – not
everything he composed has survived to the present day (for example,
two – according to Vladimir Stasov – “brilliant” gypsy choruses).
Of all the versions created by other composers, that with
the greatest stage life has been that of Vissarion Shebalin, who
completed and orchestrated the opera in 1931–1932. It is this
version that is currently performed at the Mariinsky Theatre.
Vladimir Goryachikh
SYNOPSIS
Act I A hot summer’s day. A noisy market is underway. Cherevik
has come here to sell wheat and a mare. His daughter,
the beautiful Parasya, is with him. Intending to scare the buyers
and get the goods he needs cheaper, the Gypsy tells
the crowd that not far off, a Red Coven has settled in an old
barn; it belongs to the Devil and brings destruction
on people. In the meantime, the peasant lad Gritsko is
murmuring sweet nothings to Parasya, whose beauty has captured his heart.
Cherevik is initially incensed at the lad’s bold amorousness, but
on discovering that Gritsko is the son of his old friend he
has nothing against the marriage. Now it is time to go into
the tavern. Cherevik emerges to go home late together with Kum.
Khivrya meets her husband in fury. There is no end to her wrath when
she discovers that the bridegroom is none other than the very same
peasant lad who recently made fun of her. Hearing this talk, Gritsko is
deeply saddened. However, the Gypsy declares he will help
on the condition that the lad will sell him his oxen cheaply.
Act II Khivrya has thrown her husband out of the house for
the night under some specious excuse, and is eagerly awaiting her
lover Afanasy Ivanovich. At last, the priest’s son appears, generously
showering her with high-flown compliments. Tirelessly Khivrya entertains her
guest. But the priest’s son’s declarations of love are interrupted
by a knock at the gate – it is Cherevik and Kum with
some guests. Shaking in fear, Khivrya’s lover hides
on the sleeping bench. The unexpected arrivals are scared
to death by the Red Coven, which rumour has it came
to the fair. Only once having drunk some liquor do they calm down
somewhat. Kum leads a talk about the Devil, who has pawned
the inn-keeper his Red Coven, and now, disguised as a pig, is
searching for it all over the fair. The sudden appearance of a
pig’s snout at the window throws everyone into indescribable terror.
The guests and master and mistress flee to safety.
Act III Headed by the Gypsy, the peasant lads seize
Cherevik and Kum and tie them up, ostensibly for stealing
the mare. In line with the Gypsy’s cunning plan, Gritsko appears
in the role of their rescuer. As a reward, the lad
demands the wedding take place immediately, and Cherevik agrees gladly
enough. Dreaming of Parasya, the happy bridegroom falls asleep. He
dreams Chernobog and his retinue are celebrating the Witches’ Sabbath
that ceases only with the peal of the church bell. Parasya
misses her beloved. And so the lovers’ meeting is even more joyous. Taking
advantage of Khivrya’s absence, Cherevik blesses the young couple. All
dance a hopak in joy.
Schedule for Mussorgsky "Sorochintsy Fair" Opera in three acts (semi-staged version) 2022
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