FULL Natalka Poltavka (Lysenko) Kiev 2023 April 19
Information on the Performance
- Work Title: Natalka Poltavka Composer: Libretto: Libretto Text, Libretto Index Venue & Opera Company:
- Composer: Lysenko Mykola
- Libretto: Ivan Kotlyarevsky Libretto Text, Libretto Index
- Venue & Opera Company: Opera studio of the National Musical Academy of Ukraine. Kyiv, Ukraine
- Recorded: April 19, 2023
- Type: Staged Opera Live
- Singers: unknown
- Conductor: unknown
- Orchestra:
- Stage Director:
- Costume Designer:
Information about the Recording
- Published by: Yuriy Panytsia
- Format: Streaming
- Quality Video: 3 Audio:3
- Subtitles: nosubs
- Video Recording from: YouTube FULL VIDEO
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS PERFORMANCE
Quote from Wikipedia:
Natalka Poltavka (English: Natalka from Poltava) is an opera in three acts by the Ukrainian composer Mykola Lysenko, based on the play Natalka Poltavka by Ivan Kotlyarevsky, first performed in 1889.
The original version of Kotlyarevsky’s play in 1819 contained a number of Ukrainian folk songs which were sung at different points throughout the work. The first known musical adaptation of the play was made by Kharkiv musician A. Barsytsky and was published in 1833. Simultaneously the play starring M. Shchepkin as Vyborny was premiered in Moscow in the 1830s with music arranged by the head violinist and later conductor A. Gurianov. Later arrangements were made by A. Yedlichka, M. Vasyliev and others.
Lysenko began to work on the opera in 1864 but put it aside, lacking experience in writing for the opera stage. His eventual 1889 version upstaged all the previous versions of the work. Lysenko took the original songs from the play, which were lengthened, and wrote orchestral accompaniments to the folk songs and dances in the play. He enlarged the musical tapestry, producing background music to some parts. The songs were transformed into arias, and an overture and musical entracts were added which stayed true to the spirit of Kotlyarevsky’s play. Although Lysenko’s version is usually categorised as an operetta, it is more comparable to an opera-comique, containing as it does long stretches of spoken dialogue.
Attempts were made to transform the work into “Grand Opera” with the addition of music by V. Iorish were not successful. The Kiev State Opera returned to Lysenko’s original version.
Synopsis
Act I
Natalka awaits the return of her fiance Petro, who is working abroad. She is noted by the elderly landowner Vozniy, who persuades Viborniy to intercede with her on his behalf.
Act II
Viborniy persuades Natalka’s mother, Terpilikha, that her daughter should marry the wealthy Vozniy, rather than await the uncertain return of Petro. The village maidens prepare Natalka for her wedding, although she is in despair.
Act III
Petro returns: Mykola informs him of Natalka’s engagement. Natalka appears and tells Petro she loves only him. Terpilikha objects, and Petro undertakes to leave the village if it will prevent bad feeling. Touched by this gesture, Vozniy relents and all ends happily.