FULL The Bear (Walton) Naples 1983 Zilio Fortella Troisi Dell’Ara
Information on the Performance
- Work Title: The Bear
- Composer: Walton William
- Libretto: Paul Dehn, William Walton, based on the play of the same title by Anton Chekhov Libretto Text, Libretto Index
- Venue & Opera Company: Teatro di San Carlo di Napoli, Italy
- Recorded: 1983
- Type: Staged Opera Live
- Singers: Elena Zilio, Nelson Fortella, Nicola Troisi, Ugo Dell'Ara, Patrizia Manieri
- Conductor: unknown
- Orchestra:
- Stage Director:
- Costume Designer:
Information about the Recording
- Format: Unknown
- Quality Video: 2 Audio:2
- Subtitles: nosubs
- Video Recording from: ok FULL VIDEO
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS PERFORMANCE
Commissioned by the Koussevitzky Foundation for the 20th Aldeburgh Festival, The Bear is the second and last of Walton’s two plays, written thirteen years after the success of Troilus and Cressida. The libretto, in which the composer actively collaborated, maintains the rhythm and spirit of Chekhov’s text, whose interweaving is enhanced by a happy and polite use of parody, which makes the musical discourse rich in wit and never gratuitous.
Madame Popova is reprimanded by her butler Luka because she does not decide to stop mourning the death of her husband who, among other things, Luka emphasizes, was not a faithful man, nor in any way deserving of devotion. A widow still as attractive as she should, Luka suggests, immediately harness the horse and leave the house. Madame Popova replies that for that day too Toby, the horse, will have his ration of fodder before going out. Meanwhile, Smirnov, a landowner, bursts in, demanding the payment of 1300 rubles precisely for a supply of fodder. Madame Popova, angry, leaves, leaving Smirnov to complain about his debtors. When she returns, she does it to make fun of her deceased husband’s infidelity; moreover Smirnov realizes that Madame Popova’s face is powdered, in spite of mourning. The observation triggers the violent reaction of the woman, who after inviting Luka to hunt Smirnov, calling him a ‘peasant’ and a ‘bear’ (in English boorebear), she goes to get her late husband’s gun. But it is Smirnov himself who is even forced to show her how he can shoot: so he is once again thrown out the door. On the threshold the gazes of the two meet once again, and although they continue their dispute it is now clear that they are in love. For that day, Madame Popova orders, Toby will not have his fodder.