Genre: Opera
Duration: 125 minutes (approximate)
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Act I
Zdes', gospodin rycar' Landlady, Ruprecht
Da, on rassejalsja Renata, Ruprecht
U vas vse vremja sum kakoj-to Renata, Reprecht
Ne dovol'no l' Landlady, Ruprecht, Renata
Sista . . . sista . . . sista . . . Ruprecht, Renata, Fortune-teller, Landlady, Servant
Act II
Scene 1
. . . iz trech magiceskich krugov Renata
A, Jakov Glok Ruprecht, Renata, Glock
Slysis' li ty stuk? Renata, Ruprecht
Zaklinaju tebja Ruprecht, Renata
Tam net nikogo Ruprecht, Renata
Entr'act
Scene 2
Magister doctissime Ruprecht, Agrippa
Act III
Scene 1
Genrich, vernis', vernis', vernis'! Renata
Ubej ego, Ruprecht! Ruprecht, Renata
Renata, perestan' ze plakat' Ruprecht, Renata
Entr'acte
Scene 2
Milostivaja dama, on opasno ranen Matthias, Renata
Act IV
Renata, molju tebja . . . Ruprecht, Renata
Baraniny! Vina i baraniny! Renata, Mephistopheles
Ach, negodjaj! Faust, Mephistopheles, Ruprecht
Act V
Sestra Renata Mother Superior, Renata
Vozljublennye brat'ja i sestry Inquisitor
A . . .! First young nun, Inquisitor, Renata
Duch lukavyi Inquisitor, young nuns
Sestry! Sestry! Sestry! A! Nuns, Inquisitor, Renata, six sisters
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Composed: |
1919-1927
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Premiere:
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25-Nov-1954, Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris, conducted by Charles Bruck.
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Libretto:
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Sergei Prokofiev, after the novel by Valery Bryusov
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Vocal Roles: Ruprecht (baritone), Renata (soprano), Landlady (contralto), Servant (bass), Fortune-teller (mezzo-soprano), Jacob Glock (tenor), Agrippa (tenor), Mathias/Servant (baritone), Doctor (tenor), Mephistopheles (tenor), Johann Faust (bass), Innkeeper (baritone), Mother Superior (contralto), Inquisitor (bass), and 2 Young Nuns (soprano).
Orchestration: 3 flutes, 2 piccolos, 2 oboes, english horn, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 3 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion (bass drum, cymbals, military drum, tam-tam, castanets, tambourine, triangle, bell (off-stage)), 2 harps, strings, and chorus.
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Prokofiev: The Fiery Angel / Gergiev, Gorchakova, Leiferkus
Artist(s): Sergei Leiferkus, Galina Gorchakova, et al.
Conductor: Valery Gergiev
Orchestra/Ensemble: Kirov Theater Chorus, Kirov Theater Orchestra
Catalog Num: Philips 46078
Both these recordings (Gergiev and Järvi) are especially excellent in conveying the many facets of this fascinating work. Järvi is steadier, more consistent in his pacing, and has better sound. Gergiev, a few dull spots excepted, though, is more dramatic, more powerful and, in the end, the better choice. His Renata, Galina Gorchakova, may have a marginally less attractive voice than her DG counterpart, Nadine Secunde, but more than makes up for it in her bloodcurdling dramatics, especially in the last act. The remainder of the cast in both recordings is quite good, with Kurt Moll, Järvi's Inquisitor, excellent in his grimness. Though Philips' sound is hampered slightly by opera pit acoustics from the live performance, it has plenty of power and is more than adequate. Listeners unfamiliar with The Fiery Angel, or with the Third Symphony, which Prokofiev drew from the opera after he had surrendered hopes of seeing it staged, are cautioned that it is a somewhat less approachable work than usual for him, but highly rewarding, certainly one of the most important operas of the century. There is a high quotient of dissonance and decibels, brought out to marvelous effect, though, in both these recordings. The first and only other recording of this opera (drawn, in fact, from the 1954 concert performance conducted by Charles Bruck, but with Jane Rhodes replacing Lucien Marée as Renata) has been available in a variety of LP incarnations over the decades and was issued in 1989 on CD on the ADES label (and may still be available). It's also an excellent performance (sung in French). But beware of the boomy, screechy, weak mono sound. Better to stick with Gergiev for riveting drama or with Järvi for the sound and almost as compelling a performance.
[Robert Cummings]
[ Read the complete review... ]
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Prokofiev: Fiery Angel / Jarvi, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
Artist(s): Nadine Secunde (soprano), Siegfried Lorenz (baritone)
Conductor: Neeme Jarvi
Orchestra/Ensemble: Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Gösta Ohlin's Vocal Ensemble, Pro Musica Chamber Choir
Catalog Num: Deutsche Grammophon 431669
This album is referred to in the recommendation above.
[Robert Cummings]
[ Read the complete review... ]
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Prokofiev: The Fiery Angel / Charles Bruck, Paris Opera Orch
Composer(s): Sergei Prokofiev
Artist(s): Jane Rhodes (soprano)
Conductor: Charles Bruck
Orchestra/Ensemble: Paris Opera Orchestra, French National Radio Chorus
Catalog Num: Ades 141572
Release Date: November 1, 1996
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Prokofiev: The Fiery Angel / Gergiev, Gorchakova, Leiferkus
Composer(s): Sergei Prokofiev
Artist(s): Sergei Leiferkus, Galina Gorchakova, et al.
Conductor: Valery Gergiev
Orchestra/Ensemble: Kirov Theater Chorus, Kirov Theater Orchestra
Catalog Num: Philips 46078
Release Date: October 17, 1995
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Prokofiev: Fiery Angel / Jarvi, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
Composer(s): Sergei Prokofiev
Artist(s): Nadine Secunde (soprano), Siegfried Lorenz (baritone)
Conductor: Neeme Jarvi
Orchestra/Ensemble: Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Gösta Ohlin's Vocal Ensemble, Pro Musica Chamber Choir
Catalog Num: Deutsche Grammophon 431669
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Prokofiev - Enfant Terrible - A 50th Anniversary Celebration
Composer(s): Sergei Prokofiev
Artist(s): Vladimir Ashkenazy (piano), Andrei Gavrilov (piano), Galina Gorchakova (soprano), Mischa Maisky (cello), Keith Puddy (clarinet), Sviatoslav Richter (piano), et al
Conductor: André Previn, Seiji Ozawa, Claudio Abbado, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Valery Gergiev, et al.
Orchestra/Ensemble: London Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, et al.
Catalog Num: London/Decca 473443
Release Date: April 8, 2003
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