Pikovaya Dama (tbc)
- Run time: tbc
- Language: Russian
- Genre: Musical
- Release date: 7th January 2010
- Starring: Emily Magee, Ben Heppner, Lado Ataneli
- Directed by: Michael Boder (Musical Director)
Plot Synopsis
Pikovaya Dama (The Queen of Spades) by Tchaikovsky is the tragic story of a compulsive gambler whose passion drives him to sacrifice his love, to commit murder and ultimately to die. It is one of several great Russian operas based on the works of Pushkin and was adapted by Modest Tchaikovsky, the composer’s brother and close collaborator.
Set in 18th century St. Petersburg, this production from the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona is directed by Gilbert Deflo with set and costume design by William Orlandi. It stars Emily Magee as Lisa and Ben Heppner as Guermann, with Michael Boder as Musical Director.
Sung in Russian with English subtitles
Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Cast:
- Lisa - Emily Magee
- Guermann - Ben Heppner
- Tomsky/Zlatogor - Lado Ataneli
- Prince Yeletsky - Ludovic Tézier
- The Countess - Ewa Podlés
- Pauline - Elena Zaremba
- Chekalinsky - Francisco Vas
- Tsurin - Alberto Feria
- Chaplitsky - Mihail Vekua
- Narumov - Kurt Gysen
- The Governess - Stefania Toczyska
- Masha - Claudia Schneider
- The Master of Ceremonies - Jon Plazaola
- Prilepa - Michelle Marie Cook
Gherman, a soldier, falls in love with the wealthy Lisa, who is already engaged to Prince Yeletsky. Lisa confesses to Gherman that she is actually in love with him and not her betrothed. Gherman’s friends tell him that Lisa’s grandmother knows a card trick that makes her win every time, thus her nickname, “The Queen of Spades.” Gherman becomes obsessed with learning the secret, convinced that once he discovers it, it will solve all his problems. When Gherman tries to intimidate the old woman into revealing her secret, she dies of fright. Lisa sends Gherman away, distraught.
Alone in a wintery cabin, the ghost of Lisa’s grandmother appears to Gherman and reveals the card trick. Gherman rushes to meet Lisa by the banks of a frozen river, but it soon becomes apparent that he has gone mad. After he abandons her, Lisa realizes that all hope is lost and throws herself into the icy river. Gherman goes to the army barracks and joins a game of cards, using the secret that the apparition of the Queen of Spades taught him. It was a trick, however, and Gherman ends up losing everything—all his money and the love of his life. He kills himself, asking for forgiveness.