Sadko
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
This magical opera by Rimsky-Korsakov tells the story of the artist Sadko who, through his art, wishes to convince others to escape their isolation and discover new worlds. However, his dream is met with hostility. Only Volkhova, the daughter of the Sea King, enraptured by Sadko’s music, helps him to realise his visionary ideas.
Rimsky-Korsakov based his story for Sadko on a mediaeval ‘bylina’ or epic about the eponymous adventurer, merchant and minstrel, blending it with various legends of the sea. Balancing between the worlds of humans and the sea and between myth and reality, Sadko emerges as a Slavic variant of both Orpheus and Odysseus. He embodies the creative force of fantasy that wages war with reality.
While director Daniel Kramer reads Sadko as an inner journey between a masculine, explorative and a feminine, spiritual view of the world, in his thoroughly lyrical score, Rimsky-Korsakov brings together Russian folk music and lively ballads with a dynamic orchestration. After a Tchaikovsky triptych, Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk (Shostakovich) and Khovanshchina (Mussorgsky) Opera Vlaanderen will continue its fascinating exploration of Russian opera under the energetic musical direction of Dmitri Jurowski.
As Sadko, we hear the young Georgian tenor Zurab Zurabishvili, who looks increasingly on the verge of an international breakthrough. The American soprano Besty Horne will play the role of the Sea Princess Volkhova. The bass Anatoli Kotscherga will take on the role of the Sea King.
While director Daniel Kramer reads Sadko as an inner journey between a masculine, explorative and a feminine, spiritual view of the world, in his thoroughly lyrical score, Rimsky-Korsakov brings together Russian folk music and lively ballads with a dynamic orchestration. After a Tchaikovsky triptych, Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk (Shostakovich) and Khovanshchina (Mussorgsky) Opera Vlaanderen will continue its fascinating exploration of Russian opera under the energetic musical direction of Dmitri Jurowski.
As Sadko, we hear the young Georgian tenor Zurab Zurabishvili, who looks increasingly on the verge of an international breakthrough. The American soprano Besty Horne will play the role of the Sea Princess Volkhova. The bass Anatoli Kotscherga will take on the role of the Sea King.
Coproduction with the Slovak National Theater, Bratislava
approx. 3 h incl. intermission
Gratis inleiding 45 minuten vooraf.
with Dutch surtitles
The creators
Team
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Dmitri Jurowski
Conductor
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Daniel Kramer
Director
Annette Murschetz
Set
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Constance Hoffman
Costumes
