"Captain's Daughter" by C. Cui (from the History of Creating and Staging the Opera)

Main Article Content

Maria V. Kholodova
Evgenia D. Sementsova

Abstract

The article is devoted to the opera by C.A. Cui “The Captain’s Daughter” based on the novel by A.S. Pushkin with the same name, which is related to unexplored phenomena in the Russian musicology. The work for the first time examines the history of the opus creating in the context of the composer’s creative quest. Special attention is paid to the stage fate of the opera, which was premiered in both capitals. In this regard, the authors focus on studying the materials of theatrical retro periodicals, which was introduced into scientific use for the first time. This allowed us to comprehend the public attitude to the “Captain’s Daughter” – the first incarnation of the famous plot in the music scene. According to the study, Cui, being remained true to his creative credo, writes a lyrical opera in a “historical interior”. The focus of the composer’s attention is not the global historical conflict of the writerʼs novel, but an amazing story of love and salvation against the background of a popular revolt. It is noted that the artistic interpretation of Cui, as well as the musical language of the opera, caused very contradictory responses in the press. But in general, it can be argued that the “Captain’s Daughter” became a notable event in the theatrical life of Russia in the first decades of the XX century.


Keywords: A.S. Pushkin, C.A. Kui, opera “The Captainʼs Daughterˮ, musical pushkiniana, Russian musical theater of the XX century beginning.

Article Details

How to Cite
Kholodova М. В., & Sementsova Е. Д. (2022). "Captain’s Daughter" by C. Cui (from the History of Creating and Staging the Opera). Music Scholarship / Problemy Muzykal’noj Nauki, 49(4), 65–74. Retrieved from https://musicscholar.ru/index.php/PMN/article/view/1410
Section
Musical Theater
Author Biographies

Maria V. Kholodova, Hvorostovsky Siberian State Academy of Arts, Krasnoyarsk, Russia

PhD (Arts), Associate Professor

Evgenia D. Sementsova, Hvorostovsky Siberian State Academy of Arts, Krasnoyarsk, Russia

Student at the Music History Department