Iolanta (Tchaikovsky)
VAI DVD 4514 $39.95

The last of Tchaikovsky’s operas, Iolanta is one of his most beautiful and moving works. This 1982 Bolshoi Opera boasts a lavish staging and a magnificent cast, led by Galina Kalinina in the title role, Artur Eisen as King René, and Lev Kuznetsov as Count Vaudémont; the Orchestra & Chorus of the Bolshoi Theatre are under the direction of Ruben Vardanian. 92 minutes, Color, mono, subtitles in English, French, Italian, Spanish, and Romanized Russian, All regions.

Iolanta
Opera in One Act
Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Libretto by Modest Tchaikovsky,
after the play “King René’s Daughter” by Henrik Hertz

Iolanta: Galina Kalinina
King René: Artur Eisen
Vaudémont: Lev Kuznetsov
Robert: Igor Morozov
Ibn-Hakia: Vladimir Malchenko
Martha: Nina Grigorieva
Brigitta: Nina Larionova
Laura: Galina Koroleva
Bertrand: Valery Jaroslavtsev
Alméric: Oleg Biktimirov

Production of The Bolshoi Theatre
Orchestra & Chorus of the Bolshoi Theatre
Ruben Vardanian, conductor
Live Performance, 1982

Director: Oleg Moralev
Production Design: Nikolay Zoloatarev
Video Director: Alexander Barannikov
Camera: V. Berdnikov

Produced by Music Department of Soviet TV
Program © 2010 Gosteleradiofond / Auditoria
Creative Content © 2010 Video Artists International, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

Iolanta, the last of Tchaikovsky’s operas, was premiered at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg in December 1892, as part of a double-bill with his ballet The Nutcracker. Though eclipsed in fame by the ballet, Iolanta is nonetheless one of Tchaikovsky’s most beautiful and moving works. The opera tells the poignant tale of King René, who shields his daughter Iolanta from the knowledge that she is blind by keeping her secluded from the world. When the Count Vaudémont accidentally chances upon Iolanta in a rare moment alone, he falls in love with her at first sight. Discerning that she is blind, he tries to explain the delights of visual beauty. Iolanta is confused, but responds to Vaudémont’s passion. They are interrupted by the King, who is at first furious that someone has dared to tell Iolanta that she is blind. However, Ibn-Hakia, a Moorish physician, informs the King that it is indeed Iolanta’s desire to see that is essential for her cure. With the physician’s help, Iolanta gains her sight, and the King gives his blessing to her union with Vaudémont.