Voyevoda (opera)
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Voyevoda or Voevoda (Russian: Воевода – The Voivode) is an opera in 3 acts and 4 scenes, Op. 3 (1867 – 1868), by Pyotr Tchaikovsky (1840 – 1893) to the libretto by Alexander Ostrovsky after the latter's play Dream on the Volga (Russian: Сон на Волге).
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[edit] Creation and performance history
The opera was composed between March 1867 and July 1868.
It was first performed on February 11 [OS January 30] 1869, Moscow, at the Bolshoi Theatre as the benefice of the actress A. G. Menshikova . The premiere was conducted by Eduard Merten.
The score was destroyed by Tchaikovsky in the 1870s, but has since been posthumously reconstructed from surviving orchestral and vocal parts. Much of the first act was re-used in The Oprichnik (1870 – 1872).
The Entr'acte and Dances of the Chambermaids from Act III were based on the Characteristic Dances for orchestra (1865), and were also arranged for piano duet by Tchaikovsky.
In 1868 Tchaikovsky compiled a Potpourri, based on themes from the opera, for solo piano.
[edit] Roles
| First concert performance, 1869, Moscow, Bolshoi Theatre conducted by Eduard Merten |
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|---|---|---|
| Nechai Shalygin, Voyevoda (Нечай Шалыгин, Воевода) | bass | |
| Vlas Diuzhoi, merchant (Влас Дюжой, купец) | bass | |
| Maria Vlasevna, his younger daughter (Марья Власьевна, его младшая дочь) | soprano | A. G. Menshikova (А. Г. Меньшикова) |
| Praskovia Vlasevna, his older daughter (Прасковья Власьевна, его старшая дочь) | soprano | |
| Nastasia (Настасья) | soprano | |
| Stepan Bastriukov (Степан Бастрюков) | tenor | |
| Roman Dubrovin (Роман Дубровин) | baritone | |
| Olena, his wife (Олена, его жена) | mezzo-soprano | |
| Rezvyi (Резвы) | bass | |
| Jester (Шут) | tenor | |
| Nedviga (Недвига) | mezzo-soprano | |
| New Voevoda (Новый воевода) | bass |
SATB chorus.
[edit] Scoring
The opera is scored for piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, cor anglais, 2 clarinets (one in B-flat, one in A), 2 bassoons, 4 horns (all in F), 2 trumpets (both in B-flat), 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, triangle, cymbals, bass drum, harp, violins I, violins II, violas, cellos, and double basses.
[edit] Structure
- Overture.
- Act I
- Chorus of Maidens & Scena (No. 1);
- Maria's Ballad & Duet (No. 2);
- Scene (No. 3);
- Bastriukov's Aria (No. 4);
- Scene & Duet (No. 5);
- Scene (No. 6);
- Scene (No. 7);
- Quartet & Scena (No. 8);
- Finale (No. 9).
- Act II
- Introduction (No. 10);
- Chorus of Servants (No. 11);
- Bastriukov's Aria (No. 12);
- Scene & Dubrovin's Aria (No. 13);
- Entr'acte & Dances of the Chambermaids (No. 14);
- Scene & Maria's Song (No. 15);
- Scene (No. 16);
- Duet (No. 17);
- Scene (No. 18);
- Scena & Khorovod (No. 19).
- Act III
- Entr'acte (No. 20);
- Scene & Dubrovin's Aria (No. 21);
- Scene (No. 22); Quartet (No. 23);
- Scene (No. 24); Duet (No. 25);
- Scene & Quartet (No. 26);
- Scene (No. 27);
- Quintet (No. 28);
- Scene & Chorus (No. 29);
- Scena (No. 30);
- Closing Scene (No. 31).
