Description
Mariinsky: Prokofiev's Semyon Kotko (Blu-ray + DVD)
UPC: 822231859222
Product Features
- Title: Mariinsky: Prokofiev's Semyon Kotko
- Composer: Sergei Prokofiev
- Conductor: Valery Gergiev
- Performers:Chorus & Orchestra: Mariinsky Orchestra and Chorus
- Viktor Lutsyuk as Semyon Kotko
- Tatiana Pavlovskaya as Sofya
- Varvara Solovyova as Prova
- Evgeny Nikitin as Reopentuk
- Gennady Bezzubenkov as Tkachenko
- Lyubov Sokolova as Semyon’s Mother
- Roman Burdenko, Olga Sergeeva, Grigory Karasev
- Stage Director: Yuri Alexandrov
- Set Design: Semyon Pastukh
- Costume Design: Galina Solovieva
- Lighting Design: Gleb Filshtinsky
- Video Director: Anna Matison
- Duration: 145 minutes
- Bonus: Booklet with notes in English, French, German, and Russian
- Format: Double Play (Blu-ray + DVD)
Overview
In commemoration of the 125th anniversary of Sergei Prokofiev's birth, the Mariinsky Theatre presents a gripping production of his lesser-known yet thrilling opera, Semyon Kotko, under the direction of Valery Gergiev, one of the most acclaimed interpreters of Prokofiev’s works. This 2016 production, recorded live at the historic Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, captures the intense emotional landscape of post-revolutionary Russia through the story of Semyon Kotko, a young soldier returning home to find his village deeply scarred by war.
Set in the turbulent period of 1918, following the Bolshevik Revolution, Semyon Kotko combines themes of love, war, and political resistance. Prokofiev's music—raw and evocative—creates a profound connection to the characters' experiences, elevating this often overlooked opera to one of his most engrossing works. Featuring a star-studded cast, including Viktor Lutsyuk, Tatiana Pavlovskaya, and Gennady Bezzubenkov, the opera is brought to life with stunning visuals and deeply moving performances.
The production's staging by Yuri Alexandrov, alongside set and costume designs by Semyon Pastukh and Galina Solovieva, captures the heart of the story's post-revolutionary setting, blending traditional and modern aesthetics. This release is available in both Blu-ray and DVD, offering a double play option for collectors and opera enthusiasts alike.
Interesting Facts
- Semyon Kotko is one of Prokofiev's lesser-known operas, originally composed during World War II and based on Valentin Kataev’s novel I Am the Son of Working People.
- Valery Gergiev, the artistic director of the Mariinsky Theatre, is widely regarded as one of the greatest conductors of our time and is particularly known for his interpretation of Russian composers such as Prokofiev, Shostakovich, and Tchaikovsky.
- Viktor Lutsyuk, who plays the title role of Semyon, has received acclaim for his powerful tenor voice, often cast in heroic and tragic roles.
- The Mariinsky Theatre, formerly known as the Kirov Theatre, is one of Russia’s most prestigious cultural institutions, having produced world-renowned opera and ballet for over two centuries.
- This production marks a continuation of the Mariinsky Theatre's dedication to producing high-quality recordings of Russian operas, preserving their rich cultural heritage for international audiences.
Track Listing
- Semyon Kotko - Opera in five acts by Sergei Prokofiev
- Conductor: Valery Gergiev
- Mariinsky Orchestra and Chorus
- Main Cast: Viktor Lutsyuk, Tatiana Pavlovskaya, Gennady Bezzubenkov, Varvara Solovyova, Evgeny Nikitin, Lyubov Sokolova
Publishers
- Mariinsky Label
- Produced by State Academic Mariinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg, Russia (2016)
Hashtags: #SemyonKotko #ValeryGergiev #ProkofievOpera #MariinskyTheatre #ViktorLutsyuk #TatianaPavlovskaya #RussianOpera #MariinskyOrchestra #BluRayOpera #ClassicalMusic
