Prokofiev: War and Peace, Op. 91

Tolstoy’s creative works were always the subject of excitement for Prokofiev. Having dismissed the idea of composing music on the subject of the novel “Resurrection” he became enthusiastic about “War and Peace”. Eleven of thirteen scenes were written within the year. Putting aside plenty (according to his opinion) of minor details the composer concentrated his attention on two main subject lines – lyrical and psychological connected with Natasha’s image and the patriotic one devoted to the ordeal of the Russian people in the Patriotic war of 1812. The conductor Samuel Samosud played rather important role in the destiny of the opera. He was a prominent person in the operatic art of the Soviet period. The opera survived re-birthing due to his support: first on the stage of the Bolshoi Hall of Moscow Conservatoire in 1945, then with Mali Opera Theatre Company in Leningrad. Being the last work of Prokofiev in the opera genre “War and Peace” combines the best features of the composer’s music talent. Characters and performers: Prince Andrei Bolkonsky – Yury Masurok, baritone Natasha Rostova – Galina Kalinina, soprano Sonia – Nina Terentyeva, mezzo-soprano The host at the ball – Andrei Sokolov, tenor Man-servant – Konstantin Baskov, tenor Master of ceremonies – Yury Korolev, bass Maria Dmitrievna Akhrosimova – Larisa Avdeeva, mezzo-soprano Peronskaja – Eleonora Andreeva, soprano Count Ilja Andreevich Rostov – Arthur Eizen, bass Pyotr (Pierre) Bezukhov – Eugene Raikov, tenor Ellen Besukhova – Tamara Sinyavskaya, soprano Antol' Kuragin – Eugene Shapin, tenor Dolokhov – Stanislav Suleimanov, bass Old man servant of the Bolkonskys – Vladislav Pashinsky, baritone The Bolkonskys’ maid – Glafira Koroleva, mezzo-soprano The Bolkonskys’ valet – Vladimir Filippov, bass Princess Maria – Nina Novoselova, mezzo-soprano Prince Nikolay Andreevich Bolkonsky – Alexander Ognivtsev, bass Coachman Balaga – Boris Morozov, bass Matriosha, gypsy woman – Nina Grigorieva, mezzo-soprano Dunjasha, the Rostovs’ young maid – Margarita Miglau, soprano Gavrila, Akhrosimova’s man-servant – Leonid Savitsky, bass Metivier, French doctor – Andrei Fedoseyev, baritone Abbot, Frenchman – Anatoly Mishutin, tenor Denisov – Yury Grigoriev, baritone Tikhon Scherbaty – Nikolai Nizienko, bass 1st Prussian General – Boris Kleiman 2nd Prussian General – Alexei Romanov Duke Andrei’s orderly – Konstantin Baskov, tenor Michael Illarionovich Kutuzov, Field Marshal – Alexander Vedernikov, bass Kutuzov’s orderly – Andrei Sokolov, tenor Napoleon Bonaparte – Alexander Voroshilo, baritone General Kopman’s orderly – Konstantin Pustovoy, tenor Murat’s orderly – Kolya Benyukov Marshal Berthier – Yury Korolev General Belliard – Anatoly Babykin, bass Prince Eugene’s orderly – Oleg Bektimirov, tenor Voice behind the curtain – Konstantin Baskov, tenor Orderly from Napoleon’s retinue – Vladislav Pashinsky, baritone Monsieur de Beausset – Alexander Arkhipov, tenor General Benigsen – Peter Gluboky, bass General Barclay de Tolly – Denis Korolev, tenor General Ermolov – Nicolai Nizienko, bass General Raevsky – Vladislav Romanovsky, baritone Captain Ramballe – Valery Jaroslavtsev, bass Lieutenant Bonnet – Konstantin Baskov, tenor Gerard – Vitaly Vlasov, tenor Marshal Davout – Leo Vernigora, bass French officer – Vladislav Pashinsky, tenor Platon Karataev – Konstantin Pustovoy, tenor 1st madman – Yury Korolev, bass 2nd madman – Anatoly Mishutin, tenor 1st French actress – Nina Glasyrina, mezzo-soprano 2nd French actress – Elena Kurovskaya, soprano