What is The Demon?
A Russian opera in three acts composed in 1871, based on the poem of the same name by Mikhail Lermontov.
Composer
Anton Rubinstein composed the work and Pavel Viskovatov wrote the libretto.
Composer Background
Anton Grigorevich Rubinstein (1829 - 1894) was a Russian pianist, composer and conductor who became a pivotal figure in Russian culture when he founded the Saint Petersburg Conservatory. Rubinstein is best remembered for his opera, The Demon and for being a celebrated pianist and educator, most notably as famed composer, Pyotr Illyich Tchaikovsky's composition teacher.
Characters of The Demon - casting information
Prince Gudal
Tamara, his daughter
Tamara's Nurse
Prince Sinodal, Tamara's betrothed
Sinodal's servant
Courier
Demon
Angel
Setting
Time: unspecified
Place: Georgia
Opera Background
As previously stated, the opera is based on a poem of the same name by Mikhail Lermontov. Lermontov's poem was banned as sacrilegious until 1860, however it was its popularity that caused Rubinstein to use it as the basis for his opera.
Major Plot Points
Act I
During a storm in the Caucasian mountains, a chorus of evil spirits call upon the Demon to destroy the beauty of God's creation. The Demon sings of his hatred for the universe and rejects
the Angel's plea for him to reconcile with heaven.
Tamara awaits her wedding with Prince Sinodal by a river with her attendants. The Demon sees her, falls in love and promises her that "all the world will kneel before her" if she returns his love. Tamara is fascinated but frightened by him and returns to the castle.
Prince Sinodal's caravan is making its way to Tamara's father, Prince Gudal's court for his marriage to Tamara but is delayed by a landslide. The Demon appears and vows that Prince Sinodal will never see Tamara again. The caravan is attacked by Tatars and Prince Sinodal is mortally wounded. Before he dies, he tells his servant to bring his body to Tamara.
Act II
The festivities for the wedding have begun. A messenger announces that Prince Sinodal's caravan has been delayed. Tamara senses the presence of the Demon and becomes fearful. When Prince Sindoal's body is presented before her, Tamara is overcome by grief but to her horror, keeps hearing the supernatural voice of the Demon and his promises. She begs her father to let her enter a convent.
Act II
The Demon intends to enter the convent where Tamara is living, believing that his love for her has opened his spirit to goodness. An Angel tries in vain to stop him.
Tamara prays in her convent cell but is still troubled by thoughts of the Demon, who keeps appearing to her in her dreams. The Demon now appears in reality, declares his love for her and begs her to love him in return. Tamara tries to resist her attraction to him but fails as the Demon kisses her in triumph. The Angel suddenly appears and shows her the ghost of Prince Sinodal. In fear, Tamara struggles out of the Demon's arms and falls down dead.
The Angel proclaims that Tamara has been redeemed by her suffering, while the Demon is damned to eternal solitude. The Demon curses his fate. In the final Apotheosis, Tamara's soul is carried to Heaven accompanied by angels.
Previous Performances:
The opera had its first Philadelphia performance on April 29, 1922 at the Forrest Theater in a Russian Grand Opera Company production. It was produced again in 1928 and then was not performed in Philadelphia until the Russian Opera Workshop produced a concert version in 2015.
Performances are held on December 10, 13 and 15 at 7:30pm at AVA's Helen Corning Warden Theater. Tickets can be purchased here.
Samantha van Adelsberg is a Los Angeles native working in AVA's marketing department and managing the AVA Young Professionals group. Samantha holds two degrees from Binghamton University in English and Vocal Performance and is an active rock vocalist in the Philadelphia music scene.
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