Pjotr Iljitsch Tschaikowsky (1840–1893) Mazeppa
Opera in 3 Acts Duration: 180'
When Tchaikovsky chose to base his opera Mazeppa on Pushkin‘s poem “Poltava” in 1881, one can be sure that this decision was tinged with personal emotion.
Libretto: Pjotr Iljitsch Tschaikowsky after Alexander Puschkin's poem Poltava
using a text book by V. P. Burenin
Place: and time Ukraine, early 18th century
Characters: MAZEPA (Baritone) – KOCUBEJ (Bass) – LJUBOV KOCUBEJ (Mezzosoprano) – MARIJA (Soprano) – ANDREJ (Tenor) – ORLIK (Bass) – ISKRA (Tenor)e – CRUNK COSSACK (Tenor)
Choir: SSAATTBB (Cossacks, guests, Kocubej's valet, soldiers, monks and hangman)
Orchestra: 3(Picc).2.cor ang.2.2. 4.2.2Corn.3.1. timp.perc(5) hp str
Stage music: Banda out of scene (Act II) and on stage (Act III)
When Tchaikovsky chose to base his opera Mazeppa on Pushkins poem Poltava in 1881, one can be sure that this decision was tinged with personal emotion, as Tchaikovsky's forefathers, Ukrainian cossacks, had died in the battle of Poltava in 1709. It is all too understandable that even after the works premiere at Moscows Bolshoy Theater in 1884, the composer continued to be moved by the fate of the cruel Ukrainian military leader Mazeppa and his tragic love for the much younger Marija. Nevertheless, one cannot conscionably speak of a problem concerning versions, as there is a performable ultimate authorized version. Mazeppa will not be an insiders secret for specialists for much longer.
Trailer of "Komische Oper Berlin" on YouTube
| Introduction |
| Act 1: Girl's Chorus and Scene - Scene, Arioso and Duet - Scene - Chorus and Dance - Hopak - Scene and Arioso - Quarrel Scene - Chorus and Mother's Lament - Finale |
| Act 2: Dungeon Scene - Mazeppa's Monologue and Scene with Orlik - Mazeppa's Arioso - Mazeppa's Scene with Maria - Scene between Maria and her Mother - Crowd Scene - Finale |
| Act 3: The Battle of Poltava - Scene and Andrey's Aria - Scene and Duet - Appearance of the Demented Maria - Finale |