Alexey Rybnikov: I made Bolkonsky the main character of the opera

Gradsky Hall will open the season on October 2, 9 and 15 with three concerts of the finalists and winners of the Voice show, students of Alexander Gradsky, and on October 21 with the opera Le Prince André. Prince Andrei Bolkonsky” by Alexei Rybnikov. The premiere screenings of a large-scale production by composer Alexei Rybnikov will tell the audience the story of Prince Andrei, the hero of Leo Tolstoy’s novel War and Peace.

The Gradsky Hall stage was specially expanded for this project. The composer’s epic drama, in which artists of the Alexei Rybnikov Theater and guest stars take part, will be shown for the first time accompanied by the Art of Music chamber orchestra (MTKMO).

The author of the legendary rock operas “Juno and Avos” and “The Star and Death of Joaquin Murieta” in this case also became the creator of the libretto. He himself not only wrote the music, but also acted as a director.

– The life line of Andrei Bolkonsky, who in Leo Tolstoy’s novel is a very young man, his search for meaning in life, real and tragic love for Natasha Rostova, a heroic death in the war and finally coming to God … it seemed to me so important that I did Prince Andrei as the main character of my opera-drama,” said Alexey Rybnikov.

But in fact, the main character of all Alexei Rybnikov’s operas has always been music. So in this case, it is she who reveals the depth of the feelings of the characters, decides their fate and gives a new sound to one of the most famous works of Russian literature.

Le Prince André. Prince Andrey Bolkonsky” is a real feast and a roll call of various musical genres – from rap to rock and melodic declamation. Arias are performed in two languages ​​at once – Russian and French. Stage costumes in the style of the 19th century and scenery conveying the spirit of the era help to maintain historical accuracy.

The main characters of Tolstoy’s immortal work are played by Nikita Pozdnyakov (Prince Andrei) and Alexander Pozdnyakov (Napoleon), Valeria Vorobyeva (Natasha Rostova) and Roman Orlov (Pierre Bezukhov). The role of Anatoly Kuragin in the new season will be performed by Dan Rozin, a guest theater and film artist.

A huge black screen was created especially for the production: video installations will give viewers the opportunity to travel back to the era of the Patriotic War of 1812.

Elena Bulova.

Photo from the page “Creative workshop of Alexei Rybnikov”