17 May 2009
TCHAIKOVSKY: The Maid of Orléans — Moscow 1971
The Maid of Orléans: [Orleanskaya deva]: Opera in four acts
Recently in Repertoire
Lohengrin, Bayreuth 2011 Live
Opera in three acts. Words and music by Richard Wagner.
Parsifal, Bayreuth 2012 Live
Parsifal. Bühnenweihfestspiel (“stage dedication play”) in three acts.
Music from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
“German poet, dramatist and novelist. One of the most important literary and cultural figures of his age, he was recognized during his lifetime for his accomplishments of almost universal breadth. However, it is his literary works that have most consistently sustained his reputation, and that also serve to demonstrate most clearly his many-faceted relationship to music. . . .
Operas based on the works of Friedrich von Schiller
This theme relates to operas based on the works of Friedrich von Schiller.
Operas Based on French Literature
Here are operas based on French literature from Balzac, Hugo and beyond:
Jules Massenet: Le Cid
Le Cid, Opéra in 4 acts
Vincenzo Bellini: I puritani
I puritani, opera seria in three acts
Vincenzo Bellini: Zaira
Zaira, Tragedia lirica in two acts.
G. F. Handel: Athalia
Athalia: Oratorio (sacred drama) in 3 acts
DONIZETTI: Lucrezia Borgia
Lucrezia Borgia: Melodramma in a prologue and two acts.
BERTIN: La Esmeralda
La Esmeralda: Opéra in four acts.
VERDI: Ernani — Florence 1957
Ernani: Dramma lirico in four parts.
von Waltershausen: Oberst Chabert
Oberst Chabert (Colonel Chabert): Tragic opera in 3 acts.
VERDI: Otello — La Scala 1954
Otello: Dramma lirico in four acts.
Music composed by Giuseppe Verdi. Libretto by Arrigo Boito after The Tragedie of Othello, the Moore of Venice by William Shakespeare.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a comedy in five acts with incidental music.
HAHN: Le Marchand de Venise
Le Marchand de Venise (“The Merchant of Venice”): Opéra in three acts.
STORACE: Gli Equivoci
Gli Equivoci (The Comedy of Errors): Opera in two acts.
MARTIN: Der Sturm
Der Sturm: Opera in three acts
PURCELL: The Fairy-Queen
The Fairy-Queen: Semi-opera in five acts.
VERDI: Macbeth — Vienna 2009
Macbeth: Melodramma in quattro parti.
OPERA TODAY ARCHIVES »
Repertoire
Music composed by Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky to his own libretto after Friedrich von Schiller’s Die Jungfrau von Orleans (1801), tragedy translated by Vasily Andreyevich Zhukovsky, Jules Barbier’s Jeanne d’Arc and Auguste Mermet’s libretto for his own opera, after Barbier (1876), with various details adapted from Henri Wallon’s biography of Joan of Arc.
First Performance: 13/25 February 1881, Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg
| Principal Roles: | |
| Joan of Arc | Soprano/Mezzo-Soprano |
| King Charles VII | Tenor |
| Agnès Sorel | Soprano |
| Dunois, French knight | Baritone |
| Lionel, Burgundian knight | Baritone |
| Archbishop (Cardinal in first production) | Bass |
| Raymond, Joan’s betrothed | Tenor |
| Thibaut d’Arc, Joan’s father | Bass |
| Bertrand, a peasant | Bass |
| Lauret | Bass |
| A Soldier | Bass |
| Voice from the Angelic Choir | Soprano |
Setting: France, 1431
Synopsis:
Act I
A forest near Domrémy
Thibaut, father of Joan, wants her to marry Raymond. Joan refuses, declaring that she must follow her divine destiny. Enraged, her father accuses her to be in league with the devil. News arrives that the English are devastating nearby villages. Joan inspires all to hope because Salisbury, the English commander, is destined to perish. When a soldier brings news of the death of Salisbury; all sing hanks to the Lord. Joan bids farewell to save France.
Act II
At the Castle of Chinon
The minstrels sing and gypsies dance to amuse King Charles VII and his mistress Agnès Sorel. The vassal Dunois informs the King that the royal treasure is exhausted. He urges the King to take arms. To the disdain of Dunois, Agnès offers him to contribute her own money to finance the war. The archbishop receives a report of a miracle — the French have won thanks to troops led by a young girl. Joan presents herself to the King, telling him her story. The King gives her command of the army.
Act III
Near Reims
Giovanna engages in a duel with Lionel, a Burgundian allied with the English. But when she is about to strike the deadly blow, Joan sees his face, evoking tender pity. They immediately fall in love. Lionel swears allegiance to the French cause. At the cathedral of Reims a great crowd forms to celebrate Charles’ coronation. Thibaut publicly accuses Joan of witchcraft. Dunois defends her and the archbishop questions her. Feeling guilty of her love for Lionel, Joan remains silent. Lionel implores her to run away; but she accuses him that his love has caused her downfall.
Act IV
In the forest
Lionel and Joan embrace. A choir of angels sings a warning to the girl: she has betrayed her divine mission She must therefore suffer before she receives salvation. An English contingent arrives, killing Lionel and capturing Joan.
At the old market of Rouen
The English condemn Joan to the stake for being a witch. Joan asks Dunois for a cross, which he gives her. As the fire consumes her, the celestial voices promise her a place next to God.
Click here for the complete libretto (Russian).
Click here for the complete text of Die Jungfrau von Orleans.