RUSSLAN AND LUDMILLA
(GUINKA’S second (and last) opera Russlan and Ludmilla is set in legendary times, and is based on the fantastic Russian tale which tells of the rescue of Ludmilla from the hands of a dwarf by the gallant knight Russlan. It is a romantic opera in five acts, and opens ‘with an entertainment being held by the Grand Duke Svietosar to honour the suitors of his daughter Ludmilla. These are the knight Russlan, the Oriental poet Ratmir, and Farlaf, a boastful adventurer. Suddenly there is a clap of thunder and complete darkness. When the lights go on again Ludmilla has vanished. Her distressed father promises to give his daughter’s hand to anyone who can bring her safely back. The suitors set off and the
opera tells of their many adventures and mysterious battles before Russlan in the end wins Ludmilla’s hand. Musically, this work is far superior to A Life for the Tsar. It has originality, beauty, and great technical mastery. Once again Glinka contrasts the. various countries through their music, but his Persian melodies, Turkish themes and Oriental dances are highly successful and do not create the inappropriate amusement of the Polish dances in A Life for the Tsar. Russlan and Ludmilla is rarely performed in the West, being known largely by its overture, and through some of its dances, but it is a standard work in the repertoire of Russian opera companies. The opera was coldly received at its premiére and its failure crushed whatever ambition Glinka had for opera. He turned to other forms of music, and Russlan and Ludmilla had to wait until after his death to gain its first recognition (3YC, Friday, May 10, 7.0 p.m.)
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 36, Issue 925, 3 May 1957, Page 21
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283RUSSLAN AND LUDMILLA New Zealand Listener, Volume 36, Issue 925, 3 May 1957, Page 21
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