The Nightingale and other Fairy Tales (Igor Stravinsky)

The Nightingale and other Fairy Tales (Igor Stravinsky)
Lyric fairy tale in three acts
Libretto is by Igor Stravinsky and Stepan Mitusov on the plot of the fairy tale by G.Ch. Andersen's “The Nightingale”.
Preceded by: “Pribaoutki”, “The Cat’s Lullabies”,“Two poems of Balmont”, “Four Russian songs”

Musical director – Kazushi Ono

Staging – Robert Lepage

Scenography – Carl Fillion

Puppet design – Michael Curry

Puppet choreography – Martin Genest

Costumes, wigs and makeup – Mara Gottler

Lights – Étienne Boucher

Shadow design – Philippe Beau

Nightingale – Olga Peretyatko

Cook – Elena Semenova

Death – Svetlana Shilova

Fisherman – Edgaras Montvidas

Chinese Emperor – Ilya Bannik

Bonze – Yuri Vorobiev

Choir and Orchestra of the Lyon National Opera

Photo – © Elisabeth Carecchio – Festival d’Aix-en-Provence 2010

Total duration – 1 h. 36 min.

Part 1 – 44 min.

Part 2 – 52 min.

Language – Russian

The night singer, the nightingale, inspired countless authors on stories and children's songs, including Andersen's tale, in which he contrasts a lively charming bird with a cold machine. Young Stravinsky chose this colorful plot for his first opera. Having written the first act under the great influence of his teacher Rimsky-Korsakov, Stravinsky interrupted his work in 1909. He switches to scores for Russian ballets, which brought him worldwide fame. Five years later, returning to the old style, Stravinsky completed this enchanting, incredibly colorful opera.

It is represented at the Aix-en-Provence Festival in a spectacular performance exceptional in its poetry and theater magic. As a prologue, we will hear various vocal works of the composer, which will remind us of Stravinsky's affection for his Russian roots and folk art.