The Love for Three Oranges (Prokofiev)

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Operas by Sergei Prokofiev

Maddalena (1913)
The Gambler (1916)
The Love for Three Oranges (1919)
The Fiery Angel (1927)
Semyon Kotko (1939)
Betrothal in a Monastery (1941)
War and Peace (1945)
The Story of a Real Man (1948)

The Love for Three Oranges (Любовь к трём апельсинам in Russian, Lyubov k Tryom Apelsinam in transliteration) is an opera written in 1919 by Sergei Prokofiev to a libretto based on the play L'amore delle tre melarance by Carlo Gozzi.

The play itself is based on Giambattista Basile's fairy tale "L'Amour des Trois Oranges." It has been given the "AT-number" 408 in the Aarne-Thompson classification system.

The most famous piece from the Prokofiev opera is the "March". It is a popular orchestral selection, and was used by CBS in the series The FBI in Peace and War that was broadcast 1944-1958.

The opera has also become Prokofiev's most widely performed one, having entered the standard repertoire of many opera companies.

Contents

[edit] Synopsis

The absurd story is in the Commedia dell'Arte tradition, and concerns a young prince, cursed by a wicked witch and forced to voyage into distant lands in search of three oranges, each of which contains a princess. The libretto was by Prokofiev and Vera Janacopoulos, based on Vsevolod Meyerhold's adaptation of Gozzi's play. The adaptation modernized some of the Commedia dell'Arte influences and also introduced a healthy dose of Surrealism. At its premiere, the opera was sung in French as L'Amour des Trois Oranges.

[edit] Characters

The opera features an array of whimsical characters, including:

  • The Prince (tenor): the hero. In the first act he is dying of incurable hypochondria. After being cursed by Fata Morgana, he must go on a quest to rescue the three oranges from the evil chef Creonte, with the help of Truffaldino.
  • King of Clubs (bass): the father of the Prince. Compare with the Queen of Hearts in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
  • Truffaldino (tenor): the Prince's somewhat unreliable sidekick. Based on the Commedia dell'Arte character Arlecchino.
  • Tchelio (bass): a bumbling wizard and protector of the Prince.
  • Fata Morgana (soprano): the evil, somewhat bumbling witch who curses the Prince. There is an optical phenomenon of the same name. Ultimately the name derives from Morgan le Fay, King Arthur's half sister.
  • Leandre (bass-baritone), Clarissa (mezzo), and Smeraldina (mezzo): plotters against the King and Prince, allies of Fata Morgana.
  • Farfarello (baritone): antagonizing wind demon. Name is from the Italian for demon.
  • Creonte (bass): the evil chef who has imprisoned the three oranges and threatens the Prince and Truffaldino with a giant ladle.
  • Ninetta (soprano): the princess of the orange.
  • Linetta (mezzo) and Nicoletta (soprano): ill-fated orange princesses.
  • A chorus of "Ridiculous People" representing the audience of the play and also involved in the action of the play at times. Compare to the prologue of Pagliacci or of Faust Part 1.

[edit] Instrumentation

[edit] Premiere

December 30, 1921, at the Chicago Opera, with the composer himself conducting.

[edit] Performances

[edit] Recordings

Orchestra Choir Conductor Record Company Year of Recording Format
Lyon Opera Orchestra Lyon Opera Chorus Kent Nagano Virgin Classics 1989 CD
Lyon Opera Orchestra Lyon Opera Chorus Kent Nagano Arthaus Musik 1989 DVD
Kirov Theater Orchestra Kirov Theater Chorus Valery Gergiev Philips 2001 CD
Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra Opera Australia Chorus Richard Hickox Chandos Records 2005 CD
Moscow Radio Orchestra Moscow Radio Choir D.Dalgat Period (Thrift Edition) 1950? LP

[edit] Suite from The Love for Three Oranges, Op. 33bis

Prokofiev compiled an orchestral suite from the opera for concert use. The suite lasts for 15-20 minutes, and is in 6 movements:

  1. Ridiculous Fellows
  2. Magician Celio and Fata Morgana Play Cards (Infernal Scene)
  3. March
  4. Scherzo
  5. The Prince and the Princess
  6. Flight

[edit] Recordings

Orchestra Conductor Record Company Year of Recording Format
National Symphony Orchestra Leonard Slatkin RCA Victor (BMG Classics) 1998 CD
ORTF National Orchestra Lorin Maazel Sony Classical 1991 CD
Royal Scottish National Orchestra Neeme Järvi Chandos 1989 CD

[edit] March and Scherzo from The Love for Three Oranges, Op. 33ter

An transcription for piano by the composer himself.

[edit] External links

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