Summary Sergey Vasilievich Rachmaninoff. Aleko
ALEKO
Opera in one act
Libretto by V. I. Nemirovich-Danchenko
Characters:
Aleko Young Gypsy Zemfira The old man (Zemfira’s father) The Old Gypsy | Baritone Tenor Soprano Bass Contralto |
Gypsies.
HISTORY OF CREATION
A month before the final exam on the composition class, Rachmaninov received the assignment to write a thesis work – an opera on the libretto of V. I. Nemirovich-Danchenko (1858-1943) based on A. Pushkin’s poem “The Gypsies”. The proposed plot captivated the composer; The opera was written in the shortest possible time – 17 days, which indicated the outstanding skill and talent of the nineteen-year-old author. The examining committee gave Rakhmaninov the highest mark;
In the libretto of the opera Pushkin’s poem is greatly reduced, in places it is changed. Action immediately introduces a dramatically tense situation. Adhering to the Pushkin thought, the librettist stressed the main conflict – the clash of free, far from the civilized world of gypsies with the proud and lonely Aleko. Running out of the “captivity of the stuffy cities,” dreamed of finding a spiritual rest in the steppes under the hospitable shelter of nomads, he, however, is marked by the curse of his society. Grief brings Aleko to Gypsies who shelter him. Characteristic of the emotional experiences of Aleko the composer paid the main attention.
PLOT
On the bank of the river is a gypsy camp. Evening. Among the gypsies Aleko; already two years, as he left the secular society and roams along with the gypsies. Aleko and the young Zemfira fell
MUSIC
“Aleko” is a chamber lyric-psychological opera with intense dramatic action. Images of the heroes of the drama appear against the backdrop of picturesque paintings of nature and gypsy life. The music of the opera is conquered by sincerity of expression and melodic generosity.
In orchestral introductions melodies of flutes and clarinets, fanned with purity and calm, are contrasted with a gloomy, sinister motif connected in opera with the image of Aleko. Choir “As the freedom of our oars is overnight” is imbued with a serene lyrical mood. The story of the old man “The magic power of the song” is marked by nobility and wise simplicity. Bright colors, temperamental rhythms are introduced into music by a gypsy dance; in the female dance a smooth, restrained movement is replaced with a cheerfully animated movement; the male dance, based on a genuine gypsy melody, ends with a violent, violent dance. In subsequent numbers of the opera, the drama begins to expand rapidly. Zemfira’s song “An old husband, a formidable husband” outlines her character, strong and passionate, self-willed and defiant. Cavatina Aleko “The entire camp is asleep” creates a romantic image of the hero, tormented by anguish of jealousy; when you remember the love of Zemfira, a broad and charmingly beautiful melody arises. Orchestral intermezzo paints a poetic picture of the dawn. Romance of the Young Gypsy “Look, under the distant vault”, written in the waltz movement, is imbued with a joyful feeling of fullness of life. At the time of the fateful denouement, a melodious melody of Aleko’s loneliness sounds.
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