The Merchant Kalashnikov
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/35/Kalashnikov_by_Repin.jpg/220px-Kalashnikov_by_Repin.jpg)
The Merchant Kalashnikov (Russian: Купец Калашников, romanized: Kupets Kalashnikov) is a three-act opera by Anton Rubinstein, with a libretto by Nikolai Kulikov . It is based on the 1837 narrative poem The Song of the Merchant Kalashnikov by Mikhail Lermontov.
Background
The opera was written between 1877 and 1879, and was first performed at the
The Merchant Kalashnikov was not a success. It was taken off after its first two performances for political reasons (the climactic execution of Kalashnikov being objected to by
The opera has been criticised for the relatively low level of Rubinstein's musical and dramatic inspiration. The only significant female role, the merchant's wife Alyona, has no major part to play.[4] Gerald Abraham writes:
A good deal [of the music] is mediocre [and] colourless ... the more definitely Russian melody sometimes tends to watery lyricism or else is weakened by conventional harmonization. ... But mixed in with this is much beautiful, colourful and expressive music.[2]
Richard Taruskin, however, notes that the music closely follows the rhythms of the ancient Russian epics.[1]
Roles
Role | Voice type | Premiere cast, 5 March 1880 (Conductor: Karel Kucera) |
---|---|---|
Stepan Paramonovich Kalashnikov, a merchant | baritone | |
Sergey Kiribeyevich, an oprichnik | tenor | Josef Paleček |
Tsar Ivan IV | bass | Fyodor Stravinsky |
Alyona Dmitriyevna, Kalashnikov's wife | soprano | Wilhelmina Raab |
Chorus: citizens, oprichniki, boyars, heralds, neighbours, etc. |
Synopsis
Kiribeyevich, a member of the Tsar's guard (oprichnik) has made off with Alyona, the wife of Kalashnikov. Kalashnikov challenges him, and in a
Recordings
A recording was issued by Melodiya conducted by Onisim Bron.
Notes
- ^ a b c d Taruskin.
- ^ a b Abraham 1945, p. 364.
- ^ Waldon & Modell 1919, p. 13.
- ^ Delano 1969, p. 148.
Sources
- JSTOR 934000.
- Delano, Aline (1969) [1890]. "The Compositions of Anton Rubinstein". Autobiography of Anton Rubinstein, 1829–1889 (reprint ed.). Haskell House. p. 148.
- Oxford Music Online. (subscription required)
- Waldon, Victor; Modell, D. A. (January 1919). "Reminiscences of Anton Rubinstein". The Musical Quarterly. 5 (1).