Opera Peter Tchaikovsky "Iolanta" (opera in 2 acts) Ballet theatre of St. Petersburg Conservatoire
Running time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Schedule for Peter Tchaikovsky "Iolanta" (opera in 2 acts) 2022
Composer: Peter Tchaikovsky
Opera in 2 acts
World premiere: 18 December, 1892, Mariinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg, Russia
Iolanta – Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's last opera – was written two years before the composer’s death. In 1884 Tchaikovsky read the one-act play King Rene’s Daughter by the Danish dramatist Henrik Hertz. The poetic story of Iolanta who has been blind from birth and is cured of her ailment through love inspired Tchaikovsky, who was looking for a subject for a short, lyrical opera. The eternal gloom in which Iolanta lives peacefully becomes a symbol of spiritual blindness and the source of deep pain for those close to her. Love ignites her heart’s desire to see the world and inspires her courage to undergo the pain that will enable her to see. At the request of the composer, his brother Modest Ilyich Tchaikovsky wrote an operatic libretto after the plot of King Rene’s Daughter. The opera was written between July and December 1891, and the premiere took place at the Mariinsky Theatre on 6 December 1892. It is believed that the composer’s philosophical intentions are reflected in the plot of the opera, as he had a keen interest in the philosophy of Spinoza. Whether that is the case or not Iolanta stands apart from Tchaikovsky’s other works because of its unusual "otherworldly" plot and the touching, light and serene music.
Opera in 2 acts
ACT 1
In the south of France, in
Provance, there lives Iolanta - king’s Rene’s only daughter. She is blind from
birth. By King’s order no one can reveal to Iolanta on pain of death the
existence of light. Iolanta’s friends, her nurse - everybody is kind to her,
thougtful of her. But sad thoughts haunt her, unbearable anguish oppresses her
heart-King Rene cherishes hopes for his daughter’s recovery. A famous Moorish
doctor Ibn Khakia is invited to the castle. To King’s Rene’s questions about his
daughter’s chances for recovery of sight the doctor answers that she can be
cured on condition that she learns about her lesion and longs to see. Rene is
worried...
ACT 2
Having lost their way two friends -
Knight Veaudemont and Duke Robert find themselves in King Rene’s castle.
Veaudemont notices the sleeping Iolanta. He is struck by her beauty. Love for
the unknown girl bursts in his heart. Meanwhile Robert tells his friend about
his love for Mathilda, the countess of Lorraine. But one thing worries Robert:
as a boy he was engaged to King Rene’s daughter-Iolanta. On hearing
unfamiliar voices Iolanta wakes up: guests are rare in the castle. The young
people explain to her that they have lost their way and got into the castle by
chance. Robert leaves to find his retainers, Iolanta and Veaudemont remain
alone. The young man passionately declares his love for Iolanta. When he
realizes that she is blind, he in a fit of passion tells her about the sunshine
and bright blue sky. A desire to see arises in Iolanta’s heart and love for
the Knight bursts in her soul. There appeares the alarmed King Rene, the doctor,
Iolanta’s friends Having learnt that the Knight revealed the secret to Iolanta
the doctor decides to begin the treatment. King Rene declares that if the
treatment fails the knight will die. Iolanta is ready to go through any
sufferings for Veaudemont to stay alive. There appears Robert accompanied by
his knights. Veaudemont seeks Iolanta’s hand in marriage. King Rene tells him
that his daughter is engaged to Duke Robert. Robert begs the king to break
the engagement as he loves the countess Mathilda. King Rene releases Robert from
his obligations. Joyful cries announce "Iolanta can now see!" King Rene blesses
Iolanta and Veaudemont. Happy, they sing a song of praise to the light forces of
life, the sun and love.
Schedule for Peter Tchaikovsky "Iolanta" (opera in 2 acts) 2022
Anna Netrebko & Rolando Villazon - Iolanta (Tchaikovsky) |
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About This Video 10:02 Extract from the Paris recital, March 2007 |
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