The Maid of Orléans
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
The Maid of Orléans
One night only—Presented in concert
By Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Sung in Russian with English titles
The Maid of Orléans represents Tchaikovsky’s closest approach to French grand opera with its large-scale cast and orchestra. Presented in concert the opera tells the tale of Joan of Arc. While the composer’s libretto remains true to much of the Joan legend, including her visions, strength in battle and fiery martyrdom, this lush romantic work also tells the story of a conflicted Father who ultimately betrays her and of her love for Lionel, a Burgundian Knight. Tchaikovsky’s impassioned score creates a nuanced musical portrait of the intrepid young woman who led the French army to victory.
“A night at the opera doesn’t get better than this.”
– Opera News
Cast and Creative
Kate Aldrich
Joan of Arc
Kevin Thompson
Thibaut d’Arc, Joan’s father
Kevin Ray
King Charles VII
Aleksey Bogdanov
Lionel, a Burgundian knight
Yeghishe Manucharyan
Raymond, Joan’s betrothed
David Kravitz
Dunois, a French knight
Mikhail Svetlov
The Archbishop
Erica Petrocelli
Agnès Sorel
David Salsbery Fry
Bertrand, a peasant
Soldier
Ryan Stoll
Lauret
Sarah Yanovitch
Angel
Gil Rose
Conductor
Background
“If this opera won’t be a masterpiece in general, it will be my masterpiece! Its simplicity of style is absolute. The forms are uncluttered,” Tchaikovsky wrote to his brother Modeste in January 1879. Hard at work on his sixth opera, The Maid of Orléans (Russian: Орлеанская дева, Orléanskaja deva), the composer was simultaneously composing and adapting several literary sources for the libretto. His work as a music critic (1867-1878) had allowed him to travel widely, including to Wagner’s inaugural Ring cycle in Bayreuth. He appreciated the staging, but not the music, calling it “unlikely nonsense… through which sparkle unusually beautiful and astonishing details.”
Read the program notes
Media
Photos and videos by Kathy Wittman / Ball Square Films
