Christmas Eve
An opera by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov based on Nikolai Gogol's story "Christmas Eve" from "Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka"; the composer described its genre as a "true tale in carol form." It premiered at the Mariinsky Theatre in 1895.
Although Rimsky-Korsakov's music differs greatly from Offenbach's, the story this year, 2024, once again turned out magical and mystical. After all, the opera «Christmas Eve» is based on Gogol's stories «Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka».
In both Hoffmann and Gogol, fiction echoes real life. Perhaps that is why Rimsky-Korsakov called the genre of his opera a "true tale in carol form".
Working with this material was both hard and fun. The artists who play the "unclean force" or interact with it — the Devil, Patsyuk, Vakula, Solokha, Panas — had particular difficulty.
In their arias and ensembles the composer used unusual harmonies and rhythms.
Against this background the parts of the "ordinary people" stand out for their melodiousness and songfulness.
Everyone happily sang the beautiful ensembles and choruses. And, of course, everyone had something to act. Rimsky-Korsakov's libretto gives room for spirited improvisation.
Our guests particularly noted the authenticity and vividness of the sets and costumes. Special thanks for that go to: A. Sadovnikov, E. Litinskaya, I. Gorbatova, and V. Sorokina.
Cast
| Role | Cast A | Cast B |
|---|---|---|
| Чуб | Andrei Baboulevitch | Paul Belasky |
| Оксана | Kira Stakhovskaya | Nadia Sokolova |
| Солоха | Tanya Patrik | Irina Martineau |
| Кузнец Вакула | Alex Katser | Igor Muratov |
| Голова | Igor Plotnikov | Vadim Ryvkin |
| Панас | Violetta Sorokina | Igor Zavarskii |
| Дьяк | Aleksei Sadovnikov | |
| Черт | Natasha Jons | Natasha Bondar |
| Царица | Marina Chechetkina | |
| Баба 1 | Sveta Perminova | Violetta Sorokina |
| Баба 2 | Madlen Gafiteanu | Natasha Jons |
| Пацюк | Yury Anisimov | |
| Девушки, парубки, духи, придворные | Roman Gafiteanu, Irina Gorbatova, Vadim Ryvkin, Anna Yarmolenko | |
Playbill