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
