Iolanta. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
The brightest and most life-affirming lyrical opera by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Iolanta, on the stage of the Royal Theatre of Madrid.
The play by the Danish poet Henrik Hertz, King René's Daughter, based on an old legend, was familiar to the Russian public in Vladimir Zotov's translation. The play gave birth to several operas, including Iolanda by the Russian composer S. Yuferov. The idea was born in Tchaikovsky under the influence of the performance of Hertz's play at the Maly Theatre, where the main role was played by Elena Leshkovskaya. The composer found both the story itself and the libretto, written by his brother Modest, poetic. Tchaikovsky must have been captivated by the heroine, who does not consider herself unhappy because she is warmed by faith, and who is ready to sacrifice herself for love. On December 5, 1892, the opera premiered at the Mariinsky Theatre (along with the ballet The Nutcracker) in the presence of Emperor Alexander III, who was delighted with the production.
And to this day, the opera is one of the most popular in Russian music, much loved by both singers and audiences.
King René's daughter Iolanta is blind. But the girl does not suspect her blindness: by order of René, it is forbidden to mention sight and light in her presence. Her father, friends, and old nurse are all friendly and affectionate with Iolanta. The king does not abandon the idea of healing his daughter, but is confused by the fact that for this to happen, Iolanta must learn of her blindness and want to regain her sight. The knights Gottfried of Vaudemont and his friend Robert appear in Iolanta's quiet refuge. Robert is indifferent to Iolanta, to whom he was engaged in childhood, while Vaudemont falls madly in love with the girl. Left alone with Iolanta, Vaudemont asks her for a red rose as a keepsake. The girl hands him a white one, and then Vaudemont, guessing about her blindness, tells her about what she is deprived of - about the beauty of the world, about light. But Vaudemont's words do not awaken in Iolanta the desire to see. In despair, King René threatens Vaudemont with the death penalty in the event of an unfavorable outcome of his daughter's treatment. Fear for the life of the man who has become close to her prompts Iolanta to agree to an operation that will restore her sight. Meanwhile, Robert confesses to the king that he loves another and therefore cannot marry his daughter. Having learned that Iolanta has regained her sight, the king forgives Robert, frees him from the oath that weighed on him, and gives his consent to his daughter's marriage to Vaudemont. At the wedding, all those present sing a hymn of thanksgiving to the glory of God.
PERFORMERS:
René, King of Provence - Dmitry Ulyanov
Iolanta, daughter of King Rene - Ekaterina Shcherbachenko
Robert, Duke of Burgundy - Alexey Markov
Vaudemont, Count, Burgundian knight - Pavel Chernokh
Ibn-Hakia, Moorish physician - Willard White
Almeric, squire of King Rene - Vasily Efimov
Bertrand, palace gatekeeper - Pavel Kudinov
Marta, wife of Bertrand, Iolanta's nurse - Ekaterina Semenchuk
Brigitta, friend of Iolanta - Irina Churilova
Laura, friend of Iolanta - Letitia Singleton
Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Theatre
Conductor - Teodor Currentzis
Director - Peter Sellars
Royal Theatre, Madrid, 2012