War and peace (opera)

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Work data
Title: war and peace
Original title: Война и мир
Shape: thoroughly composed
Original language: Russian
Music: Sergei Prokofiev
Libretto : Sergei Prokofjew and Mira Mendelson -Prokofjewa
Literary source: War and Peace by Lev Tolstoy
Premiere: June 12, 1946
Place of premiere: Leningrad , Small Opera House
Playing time: 4 hours
Place and time of the action: Russia, 1812
people
  • Prince Andrei Bolkonski ( baritone )
  • Natascha Rostowa ( soprano )
  • Sonja ( mezzo-soprano )
  • Maria Dmitrijewna Achrossimowa (mezzo-soprano)
  • Count Ilja Andreijewitsch Rostow ( bass )
  • Pierre Visitow ( tenor )
  • Anatol Kuragin (tenor)
  • Helene Visitova ( old )
  • Dolochow (bass)
  • Princess Maria (mezzo-soprano)
  • Prince Nikolai Andreijewitsch Bolkonski (bass)
  • Coachman Balaga (bass)
  • Gypsy Matryoshcha (old)
  • Dunjascha, housemaid at Rostov (mezzo-soprano)
  • Denissow (bass)
  • Matveev (baritone)
  • Field Marshal Mikhail Kutuzov (bass)
  • Napoleon (baritone)
  • Captain Romballe (bass)
  • Lieutenant Bonnet (tenor)
  • Platon Karatajew (tenor)
  • House maids, servants, nobles, lackeys, French and Russian officers, adjutants, etc. a. (small roles as well as speaking roles and silent roles )
  • Numerous small roles, guests at the ball, residents of Moscow, peasants in the People's Army, Russian troops, partisans and French ( choir )
  • Ballet : Polonaise, two waltzes

War and Peace is an opera in three acts composed by Sergei Prokofiev from 1941 . The libretto wrote Prokofiev himself; together with his future wife Mira Mendelson -Prokofjewa. The first performance of the first part took place on June 12, 1946 in Leningrad . The opera is based on the Tolstoy novel War and Peace .

Background and work history

Shaken by the German attack on the Soviet Union , Prokofiev turned to a great national work whose historical framework around Napoleon's attack had many contemporary parallels. The result was a thematic melting pot, which with the youthful Natascha and the aged Kutuzov symbolically balances between peace and war and with Andrei and Pierre, who are caught up in the patriotic defense of the fatherland, all against the background of a dusty, prejudiced aristocratic society. Prokofiev began working on war and peace as soon as the fighting began on the Eastern Front. The libretto was written together with his future wife and he began composing in the winter of 1941/42. The work was completed in the course of 1943, but a broad public discussion ensued, under whose pressure Prokofiev repeatedly reworked the opera. Scenes were deleted, others added. A complete performance was omitted. By a decision of the CPSU in 1948 Prokofiev was again forced to make changes, which he worked on until his death in 1953.

action

first act

1st picture: Prince Andrei Bolkonski, who is recovering from the Rostovs, unintentionally overhears Natascha Rostov singing on a sultry May night and he is gripped by a deep love.

2nd picture: Natascha attends a ball for the first time, the tsar is present and things are stiff until he leaves, after which the company loosens up. Pierre VISITOW asks his friend Andrei to dance with Natascha, who dreams that Natascha could become his wife. He is invited to visit by Count Rostov.

3rd picture: Natascha and Andrei are engaged and she and her father visit the old Prince Bolkonski in Moscow. At first he does not appear because he is against his son's marriage to a member of the lower nobility, later he joins them and insults Natascha. Andrei's sister comforts her.

4th picture: Helene Visitow makes sure that her brother, Anatol Kuragin, gets to know Natascha. He confesses his love to her and wants to flee with her, which drives Natascha into a deep dilemma.

5th picture: Anatol and his friend Dolochow forge a plan to kidnap Natasha, the coachman Balaga is inaugurated.

6th picture: Natascha is waiting for Anatol in Akhrosimova's house, but the escape fails due to treason. Pierre Visitow informs the collapsed Natascha that Anatol is already married and confesses his love to her.

7th picture: During a company, Pierre confronts Anatol and tells him to leave Moscow. He dreams of renouncing his old life when Denisov interrupts him and announces the deployment of Napoleon's troops.

Second act

1st picture: Jumps are being built near Borodino, Andrei is supervising the work and meanwhile thinks of Natascha. Pierre arrives and wants to see the battle. After Marshal Kutuzov's arrival, the battle begins.

2nd picture: Napoleon watches the battle from his headquarters. Contrary to the expected victory, the course of the battle upsets him deeply.

3rd picture: Kutuzov consults with his generals and finally orders the withdrawal.

Third act

1st picture: The French plunder Moscow. Some residents set fire to their houses. Pierre is also one of the arsonists and is to be shot. He narrowly escapes execution and joins the common soldier Platon Karatajew. Napoleon admires the determination of the Moscow people.

2nd picture: Andrei is wounded. In a feverish state, he dreams of Natascha, who happens to meet him. He dies in her arms.

3rd picture: The French marching back want to execute their prisoners, including Pierre, but an attack by partisans saves them. Denissow tells Pierre that Andrei and Helene have died, but Natascha is alive. Kutuzov announces victory to the cheering people.

literature

  • Ernst Krause: Opera from A-Z . An opera guide. 3. Edition. VEB Breitkopf & Härtel Musikverlag, Leipzig 1962.

Web links

Commons : War and Peace  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files