Iolanta

Operas by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
The Voyevoda (1868) Undina (1869) The Oprichnik (1874) Vakula the Smith (1876) Eugene Onegin (1879) The Maid of Orleans (1881) Mazeppa (1884) Cherevichki (1887) The Enchantress (1887) The Queen of Spades (1890) Iolanta (1892)
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Iolanta, Op. 69, (sometimes Iolanthe) (Russian: Иоланта) is a lyric opera in one act by Pyotr Tchaikovsky. The libretto was written by the composer's brother Modest Tchaikovsky, and is based on the Danish play Kong Renés Datter (King René’s Daughter) by Henrik Hertz. The play was translated by Fyodor Miller and adapted by Vladimir Zotov. The opera received its premiere on 18 December 1892 in St. Petersburg.

Composition history

Composed after the completion of The Queen of Spades, Tchaikovsky worried that he had lost his creative inspiration after such a large project. He started Iolanta with the final duet in June 1891, and despite his worries, finished composition in September and orchestration in November. The public reception was quite favorable, though Tchaikovsky was disappointed and felt he was repeating himself, especially when compared to his earlier work, The Enchantress.

Performance history

The world premiere took place on 18 December (6 December O.S.) 1892 at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg. It was conducted by Eduard Nápravník and sets were designed by Mikhail Bocharov.

The premiere of the opera shared a double bill with the composer's last ballet, The Nutcracker.

Its first performance outside Russia was in Hamburg on 3 January 1893, with Gustav Mahler conducting. Mahler also conducted the Vienna premiere on 22 March 1900.^[1]

There are only a few recordings of the opera, although Robert's aria has been recorded and performed in concerts frequently. A 1963 performance was filmed in Riga and released overseas in 1974. 1997 two-act version of Iolanta is performed regularly at Bolshoi Theatre (13 nights in 2006 season).

Roles

Instrumentation

Source: www.tchaikovsky-research.net

• Strings: Violins I, Violins II, Violas, Cellos, and Double Basses
• Woodwinds: Piccolo, 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, Cor Anglais, 2 Clarinets (B-flat & A), 2 Bassoons
• Brass: 4 Horns (all in F), 2 Trumpets (B-flat, A), 3 Trombones, Tuba
• Percussion: Timpani
• Other: 2 Harps

Synopsis

Time: The 15th century

Place: The mountains of southern France

Scene 1

Iolanta has been blind from birth, but no one has ever told her. In a beautiful garden on the king's estate, her friends bring flowers and sing to her.

Scene 2

After announcing the king's arrival, Alméric is warned by Bertrand not to speak of light with Iolanta or to reveal that Iolanta's father is the king. She is betrothed to Robert, who is also unaware of her misfortune. The king arrives with a physician who states Iolanta can be cured, but only if she is told and desires to see. The king refuses the treatment, fearing for Iolanta's happiness.

Scene 3

Wishing to avoid the marriage, Robert and Vaudémont escape to the garden where they encounter Iolanta. Robert, convinced she is a sorceress, leaves to prepare his troops. Vaudémont stays and discovers her blindness. They fall in love, after he explains light and color to her.

Scene 4

The couple is discovered. Vaudémont pledges his love, whether Iolanta is blind or not. The king threatens to kill Vaudémont if the physician's treatment fails. Robert returns, having fallen in love with another. The king cancels the wedding contract, and gives Iolanta to Vaudémont. The treatment works and Iolanta can see!

Principal arias and numbers

• Arioso: "Why did I not know this before?" "Отчего это прежде не знала" (Iolanta)
• Aria: "Two worlds" "Два мира" (Ebn-Hakia)
• Aria: "Who can compare with my Matilda?" "Кто может сравниться с Матильдой моей" (Robert)

Structure

References

External links

• Iolanta: Free scores at the International Music Score Library Project.
• Bolshoi Theatre: Iolanta page and calendar, in English
• IMDB record on 1963 filmed performance