Pyotr llyich Tchaikovsky: The Queen of Spades

Pyotr llyich Tchaikovsky: The Queen of Spades
Opera in three acts by Pyotr llyich Tchaikovsky
Libretto by Modest Tchaikovsky, based on the novel by Alexander Pushkin

Musical director: Valery Gergiev
Director: Alexei Stepanyuk
Set design: Alexander Orlov
Costumes: Irina Cherednikova
Musical preparation: Larisa Gergieva
Choir Conductor: Andrei Petrenko
Choreography: llya Ustyantsev
Lights: Alexander Sivaev

Soloists, Choirs and Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theater

Please note that net revenues pf this film will be sent to Ukraine !

[camilomarks]

A wonderful production. Although I have been many times in theaters of Russia, there is nowwhere in the world, something even remotely comparable to the Maryiinsky Theater.

[rubberducky]

The very last piece of music as he sits and ponders is one of the best endings of music I've ever heard

[paulmusic]

I thought this a mostly successful and enjoyable production of this brilliant opera. Churilova as Lisa has a lovely voice, as has Yekaterina Krapivina as Polina in her brief but important role in Act 1, scene 2. Vladislav Sulimsky as Yeletsky does full justice to his famous aria in Act 2. Maxim Aksenov as Herman appeared to be suffering from the heat in that heavy coat but did a reasonable job, I think. Maria Maksakova, however, is totally miscast as the Countess. Despite her best efforts and masses of ageing makeup, she is obviously a young singer. Partly to blame is the video director insisting on so many close-up shots of her and others. Heavily perspiring performers is not a pretty sight. It's true that Gergiev managed to stretch it out to three hours, but for me the the magnificent music wins through. Incidentally, top trolling by Altea Media using a Russian production, albeit from before the invasion, to raise funds for Ukraine!

[aclark]

#Pushkin may have the Queen but #Lemmy has the Ace…

[МатвейВрункель]

Совершенно непрофессиональное видео. Крупный план противопоказан опере. Лица артистов во время спектакля напряженные, накрашенные, потные, глаза косятся то на дирижера, то на партнеров. Это неизбежно, но зрители не должны эту кухню видеть. К тому же большинство оперных артистов не отличаются молодостью и изяществом, приходится во время красивой арии смотреть на вставные зубы и мощные декольте. Даже не смог из-за этого в полной мере оценить искусство артистов.

[Fan-Tomas]

hrabina wygląda komicznie 1.06.02 i ogólnie wygląda komicznie żenada głos dobry postać nie pasuje grana do śpiewaczki poszukuję archiwalnego nagrania z lat 60, 70tych z Iriną Archipową jako hrabiną

[bomcabedal]

A strangely static performance, and rather too slow for my liking as well. For instance, at the end of the suicide scene in the 3rd act, Churilova (Lisa) just stands there, taking away all the impact of the most dramatic moment of the opera. Aksenov is not a bad singer and has the right age for Herman, but he simply lacks the on-stage presence to portray him convincingly. Contrast his lightning scene (Act I No. 6, "Se non é vero") to Marusin's maniacally psychotic performance in the 1992 Glyndebourne to get what I mean. Video registration is also weird, with lots of close-ups and not nearly enough wide shots, presumably to obfuscate the lack of movement on-stage. In all, a thorough thumbs down from me; Gergiev apparently doesn't get better in isolation.

[LeonSokoletski]

Хоть бы в ноты попадали... черт с ней, с постановкой