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Soprano Esther Tonea singing an aria from Rubinstein\u2019s \u201cDemon\u201d accompanied by cellist Igor Zubkovsky. Photo by Katerina Souvorova.<\/p>\n
Bel Cantanti Opera\u2019s current production of \u201cPrinces, Queens, and Demons\u201d introduced Washington-area audiences to three Russian nineteenth-century operas\u2014 that is, excerpts from three thrilling operas which are very rarely performed in the USA, notes Artistic Director Katerina Souvorova. The pieces were provided in highly stylized form, from Tchaikovsky\u2019s \u201cQueen of Spades\u201d (also known as \u201cPique Dame\u201d), Borodin\u2019s \u201cPrince Igor,\u201d and Rubinstein\u2019s \u201cDemon.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2026excerpts from three thrilling operas which are very rarely performed in the USA\u2026<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Queen of Spades\u201d is based on the famous story by Alexander Pushkin, though Tchaikovsky and his brother, Modest, who wrote the libretto, have heavily accentuated the tale\u2019s already romanticized elements with lush music and tragic plot elements. Set in the 19th century, the passions of gambling and love are rivals in the heart of the protagonist Herman as he tries to win the affections of both Lisa and win the winning secret of a card game involving the Queen of Spades (the \u201cqueen\u201d in the title of \u201cPrinces, Queens, and Demons\u201d). Mezzo-soprano Hannah Wardell sang lyrically of nature as Polina \u00a0in the aria \u201cRomance.\u201d Baritone Andrew Payne sings passionately of his love Lisa: \u201cI would gladly face all peril for your sake [as] I weep your tears.\u201d Here, as in the other operatic selections of \u201cPrinces, Queens, and Demons,\u201d the singers are wonderfully accompanied by Igor Zubkovsky on the cello and Tatiana Loisha on the piano, as well as the Four Seasons Dancers, choreographed superbly by the team\u2019s artistic director, Elena Indrokova Jones.<\/p>\n
Borodin\u2019s \u201cPrince Igor,\u201d is based on Russia\u2019s medieval epic \u201cThe Lay of Igor.\u201d In a moving selection representing the \u201cPrince\u201d portion of \u201cPrinces, Queens, and Demons,\u201d\u00a0 Mr. Payne returned to sing poignantly as Prince Igor, who has been captured. There is \u201cno sleep, no rest for my tormented soul\u201d while in captivity. He then sings in his aria heroically of attaining \u201cvictory over the enemy.\u201d The dancers\u2014wearing exotic costumes suggestive of the far-off lands in the Igor epic\u2019s action\u2014performed the opera\u2019s famous \u201cPolovetsian Dances.\u201d This music was popularized in the Broadway musical, \u201cKismet,\u201d notably the song, \u201cStranger in Paradise.\u201d The eight beautifully appareled dancers of four seasons in variously colored costumes were especially effective in creating not only the locales of \u201cPrince Igor,\u201d but also the magic of \u201cKismet.\u201d<\/p>\n
The final opera, Rubenstein\u2019s \u201cDemon,\u201d was by far the least known by American audiences. The story of a fallen angel who has been cast out of heaven because he has rebelled against God will remind English speakers of the biblically-based plot of Lucifer, the fallen angel from Milton\u2019s \u201cParadise Lost.\u201d \u201cLate fallen himself from Heaven,\u201d Milton informs us, this demon \u201cis plotting now\/ The fall of others\u2026\u201d In the case of Rubenstein\u2019s opera, the person being tempted is Tamara, sung by soprano Esther Tonea. In her haunting aria, she wonders whether \u201cto pray to the saints of the church,\u201d but hears the fallen angel\u2019s \u201csweet words\u201d as he lures her to the fall from heavenly grave he has experienced. Pianist Loisha\u2019s dramatic piano works adds highly effective tension to this scene.<\/p>\n
There were also highly evocative visual images projected during the Russian opera gala performance. During the \u201cDemon\u201d perfromance, Mikhail Vrubel\u2019s painting \u201cThe Swan Princess,\u201d based on Rimsky-Korsakov\u2019s opera, \u201cThe Tale of Tsar Saltan,\u201d was shown in the background.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2018Princes, Queens, and Demons: Russian Opera-Gala\u201d ran February 28-March 1, 2026 presented by Bel Cantanti Opera at Bender JCC of Greater Washington, 6125 Montrose Road, Rockville, MD 20852. For more information about Bel Cantanti Opera, please go online.<\/a><\/p>\n
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