21.05.2019
Celebrating The Queen of Spades
Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s The Queen of Spades holds a special place among the operas that form the basis of the Mikhailovsky Theatre’s repertoire and 30 May will mark the 250th performance of Stanislav Gaudasinsky’s version, created 37 years ago. Over 220,000 people have seen this production since it premiered in May 1982.
Tchaikovsky’s ninth opera has particular significance for the Mikhailovsky Theatre. Thanks to the genius of Vsevolod Meyerhold, the opera house on Arts Square was entered into the annals of global opera theatre history back in the 1930s when the celebrated director, who led the Russian theatre revolution, revised Modest Tchaikovsky’s libretto to bring the plot of his production closer to that of its literary source: Pushkin’s short story. Meyerhold’s 1935 staging was the start of a new chapter in the history of art, creating the ‘director’s opera’.
Any director brave enough to attempt a new staging of The Queen of Spades at the Mikhailovsky Theatre after Meyerhold must above all endeavour to avoid any crossover with the work of their brilliant predecessor. The story of Stanislav Gaudasinsky’s production shows that a classical reading of Tchaikovsky’s opera may have an equally noble history, and the enduring respect of several generations of St. Petersburg opera lovers confirms this. For many of them, the production was a revelation, partially thanks to the stars who dazzled with their performances on stage. The production largely owes its enduring popularity to Elena Obraztsova, who regularly took on the role of the Countess at our theatre right up until the last months of her life. It was the legendary singer’s final role, which she was unwilling and unable to relinquish. The 250th anniversary performance will feature artists who sang alongside her and whose parts were forged under the direct influence of her magical talent.
Please note that renowned St. Petersburg art historian Alexei Lepork will give a lecture entitled ‘The opera as a symphony’ in the Fireplace Hall in the Dress Circle before the anniversary performance.
Tchaikovsky’s ninth opera has particular significance for the Mikhailovsky Theatre. Thanks to the genius of Vsevolod Meyerhold, the opera house on Arts Square was entered into the annals of global opera theatre history back in the 1930s when the celebrated director, who led the Russian theatre revolution, revised Modest Tchaikovsky’s libretto to bring the plot of his production closer to that of its literary source: Pushkin’s short story. Meyerhold’s 1935 staging was the start of a new chapter in the history of art, creating the ‘director’s opera’.
Any director brave enough to attempt a new staging of The Queen of Spades at the Mikhailovsky Theatre after Meyerhold must above all endeavour to avoid any crossover with the work of their brilliant predecessor. The story of Stanislav Gaudasinsky’s production shows that a classical reading of Tchaikovsky’s opera may have an equally noble history, and the enduring respect of several generations of St. Petersburg opera lovers confirms this. For many of them, the production was a revelation, partially thanks to the stars who dazzled with their performances on stage. The production largely owes its enduring popularity to Elena Obraztsova, who regularly took on the role of the Countess at our theatre right up until the last months of her life. It was the legendary singer’s final role, which she was unwilling and unable to relinquish. The 250th anniversary performance will feature artists who sang alongside her and whose parts were forged under the direct influence of her magical talent.
Please note that renowned St. Petersburg art historian Alexei Lepork will give a lecture entitled ‘The opera as a symphony’ in the Fireplace Hall in the Dress Circle before the anniversary performance.
