On May 20 and 21, the theatre chief director Konstantin Balakin and chief artist Elena Vershina will present their concept of the new performance "Tosca" by G. Puccini.
It is better to see the famous opera “Tosca” once, and then talk about it tirelessly, and discuss the most powerful scenes. It's safe to say that impressionable spectators will wipe tears, so dramatic the plot is. The opera "Tosca" is Puccini's masterpiece, it is one of the most popular operas in the world theatres. Tosca character requires an uncommon actor's talent. Initially French playwright Victorien Sardou wrote the role specifically for the brilliant Sarah Bernhardt. Giacomo Puccini, having seen the actress on stage, made up his mind to create an opera on this work. All the main parties (Tosca, Cavaradossi, Scarpia) are very popular with singers. The second act makes a great impression. Arias: Cavaradossi "Recondita armonia" (1 s.), "E lucevan le stelle" (3 s.), Tosca "Vissi d'arte" (2 s.) comprise the pearls of the world opera repertoire.
This opera will also be interesting as it is based on historical political events which have taken place in Italy of that time. The directors have admitted during the Arts Council that it will be a practically cinematic, dramatic performance.
Since the public first became acquainted with the premiere of “Tosca” on January 14, 1900 at the Rome Opera, and then at Milan's La Scala, success always followed it. Having got into the repertoire of this or that theatre, the opera does not leave the stage for a long time. In recent years, modern versions of this masterpiece are more and more often offered for theatre-goes in theatres all over the world. Working on Tosca, Puccini wrote: "We need a new style! In “Bohemia” we wanted the public to cry, in “Tosca” we want to stir up a sense of justice in people. So far we have been kind, now we will be cruel." After such lines, the question arises: What kind of feelings does the staging team want to "stir up in people"? That's what the stage director Konstantin Balakin said in conversation with the Astrakhan theatre Literary and dramatic department director Natalia Kirillovna Turieva:
"Of course, this opera is cruel. It is cruel in terms of the number of deaths, it is cruel in the relationships and convictions struggle, it is cruel in hopelessness that suddenly becomes an obstacle for the heroes. Perhaps, Puccini has really opened the door to the once-taboo zone for the stage. The researchers believe that the direct road to the "theatre of cruelty" has begun precisely with "Tosca". The inflamed heat induces us to stage expression: there is no place for any kind of polished, glamor things, here everyone believes in his appointment, in his love, and everyone has his own God. Here they torture and kill. A person uses his power not only to incline the actress to intimacy, but to break her completely. There is no place for beauty of the vocals, there is a screaming cry, indeed a cry of spasms! .. And, of course, many things are striking here with the awesome combination of the incongruous: Tosca commits murder with those snow-white hands which beauty Cavaradossi appreciates so high. She earnestly believes in "the proposed circumstances," she is convinced that she saves the beloved. "
You can buy tickets for the opera “Tosca” at the box-offices of the Astrakhan Opera and Ballet Theatre
(Tel: 21-16-30) and on our website
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