The Enchantress (opera)
The Enchantress, also The Sorceress or Charodeyka (Russian: Чароде ́йка) is an opera in 4 acts (1885-87) by Pyotr Tchaikovsky.
The opera was written to the libretto by Ippolit Shpazhinsky after his drama of the same title. It was composed between September 1885 and May 1887 in Maidanovo (Майданово).
It was first performed in St Petersburg, Mariinsky Theatre on November 1 [OS October 20], 1887, conducted by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, stage direction by O. O. Palechek, the set by M. I. Bocharov, the costumes after drawings by E. P. Ponomaryov.
In the Soviet Russia it was staged again with a new version of the libretto by Sergey Gorodetsky after Shpazhinsky on March 22, 1941 in Leningrad (St Petersburg). князь Курлятев- , Княгиня - , Юрий - 3-й, Мамыров-, Настасья-' ). в 1887 пост. в Тифлисе (дирижер Ипполитов-Иванов; Настасья - Зарудная)
Roles
| First performance, St Petersburg, Mariinsky Theatre, 1887
Pyotr Tchaikovsky, conductor | ||
|---|---|---|
| Prince Nikita Kurliatev [Князь Никита Курлятев] | baritone | Ivan Melnikov (Иван Мельников) |
| Princess Evpraksia [Княгиня Евпраксия] | mezzo-soprano | Maria Slavina (Мария Славина) |
| Prince Yuri [Княжич Юрий] | tenor | Vasiliev (Васильев) |
| Mamyrov [Мамыров] | bass | Fyodor Stravinsky (Фёдор Стравинский) |
| Nenila [Ненила] | mezzo-soprano | |
| Ivan Zhuran [Иван Журан] | bass-baritone | |
| Nastasia (Kuma) [Настасья (Кума)] | dramatic soprano | Emilia Pavlovskaya (Павловская) |
| Foka [Фока] | baritone | |
| Polia [Поля] | soprano | |
| Balakin [Балакин] | tenor | |
| Potap [Потап] | bass-baritone | |
| Lukash [Лукаш] | tenor | |
| Kichiga [Кичига] (bass); | bass | |
| Paisy [Паисий] | character tenor | |
| Kud´ma [Кудьма] | baritone | |
| People | SATB chorus. |
Scoring
The opera is scored for piccolo, 3 flutes, 2 oboes, cor anglais, 2 clarinets (B-flat, C, A), 2 bassoons, 4 horns (F), 2 cornets (B-flat), 2 trumpets (B-flat), 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, triangle, tambourine, military drum, cymbals, bass drum, tam-tam, harp, violins I, violins II, violas, cellos, double basses + 4 horns (offstage).
The score was arranged for voices with piano by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, 1886-87.
Synopsis
The action takes place at the last quarter of the 15th century at the tavern and brothel near Nizhny Novgorod. Nastasia (Kuma), the charming owner of the inn had made herself an enemy in rejecting the devious Mamyrov, the right hand of the local supreme Nikita Danilovich Kurliatev. He spreads the gossip that Nastasia is an enchantress, and every man falls for her. Yuri, Nikita’s son, begins to frequent the inn, so does his father, who falls madly in love with Nastasia without any success threatening her that he would reach his goal. Mamyrov confronts Nikita’s wife Evpraksia with the truth, while her son – not yet personally involved with Nastasia – swears to avenge his mother. While confronting Nastasia he learns that it is he whom she loves. They both plan to flee during the night not knowing that, by now, Mamyrov has worked out an elaborate plot to wreak his revenge on Nastasia as well as on Nikita and his family with devastating effect.
Structure
- Introduction.
- Act I – Folk Scene (No. 1); Folk Scena (No. 2); Chorus of Guests & Scene (No. 3); Scene (No. 4); Kuma's Arioso (No. 4a); Folk Chorus & Scene (No. 5); Scene (No. 6); Decimet (No. 7a); Scene & Chorus (No. 7b); Dance of the Tumblers (No. 7c).
- Act II – Entr'acte; Scene & Princess's Arioso (No. 8); Scene & Duet (No. 9); Scene (No. 10); Scene (No. 11); Prince's Arioso (No. 11a); Scene: Prince with the Princess (No. 12); Folk Scene (No. 13); Finale (No. 14).
- Act III – Scene & Duet (No. 15); Scene (No. 16); Scene (No. 17); Duet (No. 17a).
- Act IV – Entr'acte; Scene with Chorus (No. 18); Scene & Duet (No. 19); Scene (No. 20); Kuma's Arioso (No. 20a); Scene & Duet (No. 21); Scene & Quartet (No. 22); Finale (No. 23).
Recordings
- Pyotr Tchaikovsky: The Enchantress
- Audio 3CDs
- Label: Aquarius
- Publication Date: 2003
- Performers:
- Prince Nikita Danilovich Kurliatev, Grand-duc du Gouvernement of Nizhny Novgorod - Mikhail Kisseliov, baritone;
- Princess Evpraksia Romanovna, son épouse - Viera Borisenko, mezzo-soprano;
- Prince Youri Nikitich, leur fils - Georgiy Nielepp, dramatic tenor;
- Nastasia (Kuma), aubergiste - Natalia Sokolova, lyric soprano;
- Mamyrov, vieux diacre - Aleksei Korolev, bass-baritone;
- Nenila, sa soeur. Femme de chamber de la Princesse - Anna Matiouchina, mezzo-soprano;
- Ivan Jouran, Valet du prince Nikita - Mikhail Skazin, bass-baritone;
- Foka, Oncle de Nastassya - Anatoly Tikhonov, baritone;
- Polya, une aime de Nastassya - Vera Gradova, soprano;
- Balakin, un habitué venant de Novgorad - Serguei Sladkopevtsev, character tenor;
- Potap, un jeune gars - Leonid Khatchaturov, bass-baritone;
- Loukach, autre jeune gars - Aleksei Ousmanov, tenor;
- Kichiga, un pugiliste de foire - Gennadi Troitsky, bass;
- Paisy, moine vagabond a peau noire - Pavel Pontryaguin, character tenor;
- Koudma, un sorcier - Pavel Korobkov, baryton.
- Radio USSR chorus,
- Moscow Philharmonia State Orchestra, Samuil Samosud, conductor.
- Moscow, January 1954.
- Pyotr Tchaikovsky: Dances and Overtures
- The Queen of Spades, overture (1890) [3:58]
- Fatum – symphonic poem, Op. 77 (1868) [15:58]
- The Voyevoda, overture (1868) [9:21]
- The Maid of Orleans (1881): (Entr’acte, Act II [3:22]; Danse des Bohémiens [3:44]; Danse des Polichinelles [4:21])
- Cherevichki (The Slippers) (1876/1887): Danse Russe [3:52]; Danse des Cosaques [3:26])
- The Enchantress (1887): (Introduction [5:31]; Danse des Histrions [3:56])
- Mazeppa, Gopak (1884) [4.21]
- The Oprichnik, Danses (1874) [5:47]
- National Symphony Orchestra of the Ukraine/Theodore Kuchar
- Rec. Grand Concert Studio, National Radio Company of the Ukraine, Kiev, 18-20 December 2000. DDD
- NAXOS 8.554845 [67:36]