Amazon.com
Iolanta was Tchaikovskys final opera, a one-acter written to play on the same bill with The Nutcracker. It tells the story of a blind princess whose disability has been kept from her, and who learns of it along with the love that gives her the strength to overcome it. The composer personally preferred the opera to the ballet, but subsequent audiences have not agreed with his assessment, and Iolanta has languished in obscurity. There are dramatic reasons for that, but from a musical standpoint this score deserves to be heard. This recording is a part of the Gergiev/Kirov/Philips series of Russian operas, and a fine cast has been lavished on it, including the luscious-voiced soprano Galina Gorchakova in the title role, baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky as Robert, to whom she has long been betrothed, and stentorian tenor Gegam Grigorian as the knight who falls in love with Iolanta and helps her gain the will to see. --Sarah Bryan Miller
Rate Points :4.0
Binding :Audio CD
Label :Philips
Manufacturer :Philips
MPN :442796
ProductGroup :Music
Studio :Philips
Publisher :Philips
UPC :028944279627
EAN :0028944279627
Price :$33.98USD
Lowest Price :$40.40USD
Customer ReviewsBlind Passion
Rating Point :4 Helpful Point :20
Not only a brilliantly creative mind, Tchaikovsky was the only Russian composer of his time with a formal musical education. Iolantas original woodwind treatments is one example of why the late Igor Stravinsky was so enamored with this composer. However, replacing traditional string accompaniment with woodwinds drove Rimsky-Korsakov to trash the piece in his memoirs. Nicolai went on to mention how much more favorably Iolanta was received over Tchaikovskys Nutcracker (So much for that critique!). Gustav Mahler tried to make a case for Iolanta to become regular opera repertory, but with little luck.
Iolanta is yet another buried Russian opera. However, Tchaikovsky simply didnt write a bad opera. The story about a blind princess learning to see through love was a deliberate choice of subject matter by the composer for this, his last, opera. The ironically symbolic connotations reflect Tchaikovskys own troubled love life. Once again, his brother Modest wrote the libretto. There has been some criticism of that writing. Just chalk the librettos limitations to the subject matter (medieval fairy tale) and the fact that the brothers were just coming off Pique Dame, possibly operas most original libretto (cant hit all of them out of the park). Still, the music is as powerful as any of Tchaikovskys operas and better than almost all the French operas (except Carmen) that influenced him.
The main cast requires ten very capable singers (another reason this isnt performed too often). And thats where the Philips Kirov series comes to the rescue. If youve purchased any of them before, youre probably getting familiar with some of the Kirovs cast. Galina Gorchakova (Pskovitjanka, Invisible City, Maid of Pskov) is wonderful and very moving as Iolanta, the blind princess. Gegam Grigorian (Prince Igor, Pique Dame) is remarkable as the love-struck count. Pulling it together is the silky bass sound of Sergei Alexashkin (Mazepa, Sadko, War and Peace) as King Rene. This recording is an easy listen. After the first few times, it becomes downright haunting. As for Iolanta, it will continue to gain ground over the next century. Buy it! Just base the purchase on blind faith.
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :16
Having listened to the CD as well as the same orchestra, chorus and director (but different singers except for King Ren) performing in the Amsterdam Concertgebouw I must say I have seldomly been in such high spirits after an opera. Its a highly moving story, although not historically accurate, more like a fairytale. This opera was performed together with "the Nutcracker" and at that first performance in 1981 was received better than "Nutcracker".Having listened to it with such delight it is only a pity that nowadays mainly Russian audiences have the pleasure still to see it performed live. The music is the strongest part here, which was intended by Tchaikowsky:he meant to give a deeper meaning to what was happening on the stage mainly by the music. It doesnt fail to deeply touch the listeners heart. It has lots of melodies that seem typically Russian to me, full of passion and these melodies keep haunting my imagination in a sense I hadnt thought anymore to be possible. The CD is a little expensive given the fact that it only lasts 96 minutes (just 24 for the second CD, why not put parts of "The Nutcracker" on it ?) but is well worth the buy. Like with me it may well change your whole preference for styles and languages in opera. The booklet has the Russian cyrillic, Russian transliteration, English, German and French texts, as well as an introduction in these languages and in Italian but no Italian text (remarkably).
A forgotten jewel
Rating Point :4 Helpful Point :2
This a an unusual production among Tchaicovskys operatic work. Lightful, full of symbolic lyricism, the pure melodies used thorough the play captivate any listener, along with the moving story.
This version isnt ideal just for one point (not minor): Gorchakovas voice is too dark and heavy for the part. Thus said, lets move on: Grigoriam is moving, passionate... just wonderful. All the rest of the singers are perfect. Gergiev misses some details in the score but all put together, he is a fine conductor. Tchaicovskys rare beautyful gem is worth to get this set.
A different Tchaikovsky experience, but fully worthwhile
Rating Point :4 Helpful Point :12
Anyone who is familiar with Tchaikovskys propensity for big emotional melodies will probably find "Iolanta" to be, initially, a little dry. It lacks the high voltage of "Pique Dame" and "Eugen Onegin" and is more intimate in scope. Having said that, this is still a worthwhile listen and evidnece that Tchaikovsky could do more than excite emotions. Certainly, Gergiev and his ensemble, notably Gorchakova and Hvorstovsky, make the best case for this opera. Id still probably prefer Tchaikovskys other operas, but this is a rewarding listen.
Amazon.comThanks to Valery Gergievs efforts--including his accounts of The Tsars Bride and Kashchey the Immortal--Rimsky-Korsakov operas are no longer a mystery, but that doesnt mean theres any clearer consensus on their quality. This opera suggests 
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