Expand
  • Find us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow us on Instagram
  • View Our YouTube Channel
  • Listen on Spotify
  • View our scores on nkoda

English Deutsch
Music Text

Libretto after Alexander Pushkin (R,E,G)

Scoring

2T,2Bar,B
3(III=picc).2.corA.2.bcl.2-4.3.3.1-timp.perc:cyms/BD/tgl/tam-t-
harp-strings

Abbreviations (PDF)

Publisher

Boosey & Hawkes

Territory
This work is available from Boosey & Hawkes for the world.

Availability

World Premiere
11/01/1906
Bolshoy Theatre, Moscow
Conductor: Sergei Rachmaninoff
Company: Bolshoy Opera

Roles

THE BARON Baritone
ALBERT Tenor
THE DUKE Baritone
JEWISH MONEYLENDER Tenor
SERVANT Bass
Time and Place

England in Medieval times

Synopsis

A young knight Albert lives a life of jousting and courtly pleasure, which his father, an extremely rich but miserly baron, refuses to support. As a result Albert is now deeply in debt and unable to appear in high society, so he tries to borrow money once again. The money-lender refuses to provide a loan, but offers poison by means of which Albert can kill his father. Sending the money-lender away in horror at the idea, he decides to appeal to the duke who rules them all. Meanwhile the baron visits his cellars alone to celebrate the fact that he has now amassed enough gold to fill his sixth and last chest. Filled with greedy delight and terror, he lights candles before the chests and opens them to gloat on what they hold. In a powerful monologue, he fluctuates between ecstasy at the sight of all this twinkling gold and despair that he might soon die and then his son would be able to claim it all and spend it. In despair, Albert asks the duke to help. The duke conceals Albert in a nearby room and summons the baron to persuade him to support his son. Cross-questioned by the duke, the baron tries to protect his fortune and accuses his own son of wanting to steal from him. Outraged, Albert leaps from his hiding-place and accuses his own father of lying. The baron challenges his son to a duel, which Albert accepts, provoking the duke to expel him from his court. The strain is too much for the baron’s heart. He dies, calling not for his son, but for the keys to his beloved chests of gold.

Moods

Dramatic

Subjects
Recommended Recording
cd_cover

Anatoly Kocherga/Sergei Aleksashkin/Sergei Larin/Gothenburg Opera Chorus and Orchestra/Neeme Järvi
Deutsche Grammophon DG 453 454-2GH

Click here to purchase this CD set from Amazon

Links

Stay updated on the latest composer news and publications