Tchaikovsky
Monday 2 January 2006 19:30-22:00 (Radio 3)
Continuing the special Christmas series of highlights from the summer Proms. Tchaikovsky's rarely performed one-act opera Iolanta is a simple but touching fairytale, which tells the story of a blind, innocent heroine, Iolanta, who falls in love with the knight Vaudémont. As her love is awakened, her sight gradually returns.
Originally commissioned and first performed with The Nutcracker, it is fitting that these two works were reunited for this Proms performance. Presented by Martin Handley, recorded at the Royal Albert Hall.
Duration:
2 hours 30 minutes
Playlist:
Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker (excerpts)
Tchaikovsky: Iolanta (concert performance, sung in Russian)
Iolanta ...... Nuccia Focile (soprano)
Brigitta ...... Elizabeth Donovan (soprano)
Laura ...... Camilla Roberts (mezzo-soprano)
Martha ...... Clare Shearer (mezzo-soprano)
Vaudémont ...... Peter Hoare (tenor)
King Rene ...... Ilya Bannik (bass)
Robert ...... Vladimir Moroz (baritone)
Ebn-Hakir ...... Pavel Baransky (baritone)
Bertrand ...... David Soar (bass)
Almeric ...... Yemm (tenor)
Orchestra and Chorus of Welsh National Opera
Vassily Sinaisky (conductor)
