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Iolanta (Mikhailovsky Theatre, opera)

Iolanta (Mikhailovsky Theatre, opera)

Genre: Opera Language: Russian Age restriction: 6+ Length: 2 hours 10 minutes Intermissions: 1 Opening night: 14 July 2005

 

Credits


Libretto: Modest Tchaikovsky after the play Kong Renés datter by Henrik Hertz
Stage Director: Sergey Shepelyov
Stage Design: Vyacheslav Okunev
Lighting Design: Mikhail Mekler

Artists


René — Yury Monchak
Iolanta — Maria Litke
Count Vaudémont — Dmitry Karpov
Robert — Boris Pinkhasovich
Ibn-Hakkia — Nikolay Kopylov

Conductor — Alexey Nyaga

Premiere of the production: July 14, 2005 

Iolanta by Pyotr Tchaikovsky is one of the most lyrical and poetic works of the composer. The libretto created by Modest Tchaikovsky was based on the play by the Danish poet and playwright H. Hertz King René’s Daughter. 
Iolanta, blind from birth daughter of the King of Provence, is not aware of her misfortune, but the young knight, whom she falls in love with, reveals the awful truth to her. Iolanta’s desire to see the world is intensified by the threat of the king to execute the knight, if the physician’s attempt to restore her eyesight fails. The character of Iolanta stands out for its lyrical beauty even among the other female characters created by the composer, reminding us of Tatiana in Eugene Onegin.

The Mikhailovsky Theatre is one of the few theaters that offer the wonder opera to its audience.

Act I

Southern France, Provence. Iolanta, blind from birth, is the only daughter of King René. She is the fiancée of Robert, Duke of Burgundy. Iolanta’s father hopes to have his daughter cured by the time of the wedding and it has been announced that Iolanta is being educated in a Spanish nunnery.

René doesn’t want his daughter to know about her ailment. He’s forbidden to make any mentions of the light, colours, sights: she shouldn’t know about her blindness. Everybody is kind and tender to Iolanta but she’s been inexplicably sad lately.

Ibn-Hakia, a famous Moorish physician, has been invited to the castle. He states that Iolanta can be cured but only in case she is informed of her blindness and has a desire to see. The king refuses the treatment, fearing for Iolanta’s happiness.

Act II

Two friends, knight Vaudémont and count Robert have lost their way and suddenly come to the King René’s castle. Robert announces to Vaudémont his love to beautiful Mathilde, countess of Lorraine. But since childhood he’s been engaged to Iolanta, King René’s daughter.

Vaudémont encounters Iolanta who is asleep. Stunned by her beauty he falls in love.

Iolanta hears the voices and wakes up: they rarely have guests in the castle. The young men explain that they have come here by chance. Robert leaves to find his people, Iolanta and Vaudémont stay alone. He confesses his sudden love to her.

He discovers Iolanta’s blindness and her ignorance of the fact and explains light and color to her. The couple is discovered by the king, the physician and Iolanta’s friends. They find out that the secret has been revealed to the girl. The king is desperate, Ibn-Hakia, however, is sure that it’ll save Iolanta.

Iolanta can’t wish to see, as she doesn’t know what it is. The king threatens to kill Vaudémont if the physician’s treatment fails. Iolanta is ready to do anything to save the knight. Vaudémont asks the King to marry his daughter who refuses as his daughter has been engaged since her childhood.

Robert returns to find out that Vaudémont’s beloved girl is his fiancée. Vaudémont begs Robert to admit his love to Mathilde. The king cancels the wedding contract. Ibn-Hakia takes off a bandage from Iolanta’s eyes: she can see now. She’s frightened, she can’t recognize anybody. King René comforts Iolanta and offers her a reliable partner: Vaudémont who pledges fidelity to Iolanta. Everybody glorifies God.

 

Video

Mikhailovsky (ex. Mussorgsky) Theatre playbill


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