The Italian Nino Rota is known all over the world as the author of music for the films of Fellini, Visconti, Zeffirelli and Coppola. But the famous composer, Oscar and Grammy winner, also wrote symphonic works, operas and ballets. He set the fairy tale "Aladdin's Magic Lamp" to music in the mid-sixties. Then her journey around the world began. The opera will be performed in Russian for the first time at the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Musical Theatre. Premiere is today.
Preparing for a children's performance is also a show. Behind the scenes, they don’t just sing - a kilogram hat should sit comfortably, flights should be accurate and fast, the mood should be appropriately fabulous and, of course, lamps - there are a lot of them, and all with genies inside.
“The fire of the magic lamp will radiate all over the world with these little lamps. And every child in the world will get it so that the dreams of every child can come true, ”says Sergei Nikolaev, artist of the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Theater.
The magic lamp, as in the story of Scheherazade, Aladdin finds in a cave, among high rocks and gloomy gorges. The evil sorcerer appears in different places at the same time - and on the screen in the form of animation too. Indeed, there are miracles on the stage - the sorcerer's staff is really magical, the good genie fulfills wishes, and golden rain falls from the sky.
It seems that the only difficulty, apart from creating miracles, that the directors faced was the choice of artists. Aladdin was rehearsed by three teams, and all together they were looking for a character, and with Princess Budur everything turned out to be quite difficult.
“Princess Budur I even have 4. And I suggested that they draw lots, because, in my opinion, everyone is good. Someone is better in the plastic part, someone is better in the vocal part, ”says Lyudmila Naletova, stage director of the play.
To draw lots before a premiere in this theater is an exceptional case. All the princesses refused.
“If, for example, I took the first performance, it would be unfair to other people. Either I would take the last one or none - this is also unpleasant. Therefore, I think that it is better for the organizers of this celebration to do this, ”says the artist of the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Theater Maria Makeeva.
The choice is made, the performance is ready. There are no discrepancies with the plot of the tale. But the music had to work. Nino Rota has an opera in three acts, at the Stanislavsky Theater - in two. The score was reduced, achieving dynamism, contrast and brightness - all for children.
“Some scenes were shortened, but not to the detriment of the musical material, only for the benefit of the dramaturgy: some repetitions that the author has, musical phrases that are similar to the text, but repeat the musical material,” said conductor Vyacheslav Volich.
The opera The Magic Lamp of Aladdin is a real immersion in the fantastic and mystical world of the East. An old story is told here about how a simple poor young man won the love of a princess with the help of a magic lamp. But was she the only one who helped him become happy? And is it not the merit of his wisdom and cunning?
This production is one of the operatic creations of the famous Italian composer of the twentieth century, Nino Rota. This author is famous, first of all, for the music for the greatest Italian and American films. He collaborated with such famous directors as Federico Fellini and Francis Ford Coppola. The composer also created magnificent pop songs, which for several decades have been included in the repertoire of popular performers from all over the world. But there are masterpieces of the opera genre in his asset. And those who manage to buy tickets for the opera Aladdin's Magic Lamp will be able to meet with one of them. The basis for it was the world-famous Arabian fairy tale from the popular collection "1000 and One Nights". This work is familiar to more than one generation of boys and girls from all over the globe. It was repeatedly filmed and staged more than once at theatrical venues. And also found its reflection in the art of music, thanks to the work of Roth. His work is created at the intersection of classics and modernity. It is also full of successful stylizations for oriental music.
The premiere of this work took place in Naples in 1968. Subsequently, it was also successfully staged on many other stage venues in the world. But at the same time, for quite a long time, the opera was not staged in our country and was practically unknown to the domestic public. Its premiere in Moscow took place only in 2015. And now this performance continues to delight children and adults with its brightness, cheerfulness and charming oriental flavor.
Marina reviews: 128 ratings: 129 rating: 34
On a snowy spring day, Kira and I got acquainted with another type of theatrical art: opera. For the first acquaintance, we chose the opera "Aladdin's Magic Lamp" at the Moscow Academic Musical Theater. K.S. Stanislavsky and Vl.I. Nemirovich-Danchenko.
Everyone knows the famous fairy tale about Aladdin, and the more interesting it is to watch the performance, knowing all the plot twists. Enjoy great music, beautiful voices, interesting scenery and original costumes.
You can admire the costumes endlessly; how bright and interesting they are, with beautiful embroidery, lots of beads, shiny fabrics. The abundance of transparent fabrics creates a magical flair around the beautiful Budur. Even the minor characters have costumes thought out to the smallest detail: wide oriental pants, unique headdresses; various wraps. In the oriental bazaar, you will not find townspeople in the same costumes: bright fabrics, oriental styles, unimaginable headdresses. It turned out to be a real market in the East: crowded, noisy, multi-colored. It is unlikely that any spectator remained indifferent to the brilliance of precious stones! It would seem that the colors and brightness are already over the edge, but the children dressed in rubies, topazes and diamonds added even more sparkle to the scene in the Sultan's palace! BRAVO!
Very interesting scenery: so simple at first glance, but at the same time in each scene they turn either into an impenetrable forest, or stalactites-stalagmites of an underground cave, or into the mirrored walls of a beautiful palace.
It was very interesting: how do the creators of the performance realize the huge Genie - the slave of the lamp. With the help of a huge screen and multimedia technology, everything turned out like a fairy tale! It was really gigantic! And what's interesting: not at all like the Genies I've seen in the books. It turned out completely unique and, I would even say, unexpected)
To all actors, ballet, orchestra - BRAVO! Their collective work, wonderful music, magnificent costumes turned the oriental fairy tale into real magic! Sequins and soap bubbles are a very unexpected solution for the theater. Princess Budur dancing in the rain of sparkles is a magical sight!
The genie of the ring (Dmitry Kondratkov) appeared only a few times during the performance, but each of his appearances was enchanting! Genie is a fan of Michael Jackson - this is something unexpected) His attire, movements! It's great that in such a serious musical theater there is a place for a sense of humor. BRAVO!
If you want a bright, magnificent and interesting spectacle, then the oriental fairy tale a MAMTe is what you need! You will find yourself in the magical world of "1001 Nights", where evil wizards, the brilliance of precious stones, the many-sided and crowded oriental bazaar, magical things with obedient Genies and, of course, love will be waiting for you!
If you have not yet decided whether you like opera or not, then an opera based on a fairy tale that you know well is a good option for a first acquaintance with opera art)
I really enjoyed the performance and recommend this opera for a must visit for children and their parents)
MAMT is a magical place in itself! The blue color that meets you everywhere attracts and you understand that this is love at first sight and forever)
Inna Usoltseva reviews: 76 ratings: 114 rating: 157
CINEMA OPERA
Today I watched the premiere opera "The Magic Lamp of Aladdin" in "Stasik". Yes, I just looked. Because visually, the performance was not just a success, but turned out to be incredibly spectacular and truly spectacular.
Surprising in their brilliance and special oriental expressiveness, the costumes, as well as minimalistic cubist-style scenery, perspective video projections and dazzling light and animation special effects created such a bright visual perception and accurate inner sensations picture that it seemed completely unnecessary to sing here.
And indeed, musically, the opera (if it can be called that at all) turned out to be very weak, starting from the vocals (although who would doubt the mediocrity of the Stasik vocalists) and ending with the musical material, the composer of which was the legendary Nino Rota. Yes, it was that Nino Rota - the famous film composer, Oscar winner, winner of the Grammy and Golden Globe awards, who wrote music for the works of F. Zeffirelli, F. Fellini, L. Visconti and, of course, F. Coppola (who does not know soulful beauty melody from "The Godfather"?)
And yet, I believe that it is better for film composers to write music for the cinema, and not for the live stage. The specificity of the musical illustration of film action is special when it is necessary to support the silent experiences and actions of the characters with certain melodies, to enhance the atmosphere of the action.
Vocals are still important in opera. Here you need to sing and the music should not only convey the emotions of the characters and the nuances of the circumstances, but also easily fall on the text, emphasize the expressiveness of the voice and simply go into the background in the right places, leaving the vocalist free to express the feelings of the hero.
Today we watched the orchestral accompaniment of the visual action - a beautiful "cinema", where it is not necessary to sing at all (even unnecessary), it is better to just be silent and enjoy the beauty of the stage picture and quite convincing musical accompaniment.
I action
East market
The market is bustling with life. What is not here: fabrics, carpets, clothes, perfumes, jewelry and jewelry! Merchants shout over each other, trying to sell their goods. Here comes Aladdin with his friends. They are busy playing and do not pay attention to others. Merchants are trying to calm down a noisy company.
A strange stranger is looking at Aladdin attentively. From his clothes, you can guess that he came from very distant countries - most likely from Africa.
Having called one of his friends, the stranger asks to tell him about Aladdin. From the story it becomes clear that Aladdin lives in poverty. His father, the tailor Mustafa, has died. The mother barely makes ends meet, and Aladdin, instead of finding a job, plays and smokes all day long.
“I am his uncle,” the stranger announces loudly and says that he is Mustafa's brother. He has made a fortune in distant lands and has now returned home to live with his family. He promises Aladdin a rich and happy life.
magic cave
Uncle took Aladdin to the mountains. The road was long and difficult. Aladdin was tired, but his uncle continued to lead him further and further, promising to show unprecedented miracles.
Uncle explained to Aladdin that he needed to go down into the cave and find an old lamp there. A magic ring will help you overcome all dangers. Only one person in the world can take the lamp, and that is Aladdin. Under his spell, the entrance to the cave opened, and Aladdin went in search.
Going down into the cave, Aladdin saw countless treasures. For a moment he forgot everything, blinded by the sparkle of the jewels. Unable to resist, he took a few stones with him. Coming to his senses, Aladdin took the lamp and hurried to the exit.
But instead of helping him get out, his uncle tried to quickly take the lamp for himself. Aladdin was seriously scared, and his uncle got angrier and angrier. Having lost his temper, the sorcerer (you, of course, already guessed that it was not an uncle, but an evil wizard) decided to leave Aladdin in the cave forever.
The entrance to the cave closed, and Aladdin realized that he would never see the light again. He raised his hands pleadingly, and accidentally touched the ring that was placed on his finger. A powerful genie appeared - the servant of the ring. By order of Aladdin, the genie opened the exit from the cave.
Aladdin's house
Hungry and tired, Aladdin returned home. He gave his mother an old lamp found in a cave. If you sell it at the market, you can get some money. To make the lamp look just a little newer, the mother decided to wipe it. Another genie appeared - a servant of the lamp. On Aladdin's orders, he brought a lot of delicious food on sumptuous platters. Aladdin and his mother ate their fill.
In the city
One day Aladdin went into a jewelry store. He saw the same beautiful pieces of glass that he once found in a magical cave. The jeweler explained to Aladdin that these were not just crystals, but precious stones.
Heralds announced that Princess Badr-al-Budur was approaching. But no one is allowed to see the beauty. Whoever looks at her will be executed. Aladdin was very curious. He decided to break the ban and look at the princess. Badr-al-Budur came out accompanied by maids. Her appearance was accompanied by the song:
Like a pearl you are from the foam of the sea
You appear to us, oh Badr-al-Budur!
You, like the moon, float in the clouds
In the silence of heaven, oh Badr-al-Budur!
Aladdin immediately fell in love with the beautiful princess. And she… Badr-al-Budur also dreamed of love.
Aladdin told his mother that he had decided to marry Princess Badr-al-Budur. As a gift to the Sultan, he decided to hand over the stones brought from the cave. After all, thanks to the jeweler, he learned that these are not just colored glass, but real jewels. No matter how his mother dissuaded him, Aladdin stood his ground. Badr-al-Budur will be his wife. For this, he is ready to risk his life.
INTERMISSION
II act
Sultan's Palace
Courtiers and petitioners praise the Sultan, the most powerful ruler in the world. Among the crowd is Aladdin's mother. The Sultan noticed the bundle she was holding and decided to find out what was inside. Slightly alive with fear, Aladdin's mother told that her son was asking Badr al-Budur for his wife, and gave the bundle to the Sultan.
Seeing the precious gifts, the Sultan shook with greed. If Aladdin brings him more treasures, he is ready to give him the princess as his wife. Servants walked one after another, carrying baskets of jewels. Aladdin proved that he would not yield to wealth and power to the Sultan himself.
And Badr-al-Budur did not need any jewelry. A beautiful young man seemed to her a guest from heaven. Badr-al-Budur became the wife of Aladdin, and they lived in love and harmony in a luxurious palace that the genie built.
Kidnapping of Badr al-Budur
One day Aladdin went hunting. An incomprehensible anxiety seized Badr-al-Budur. She was distracted from her sad thoughts by a merchant who changed old lamps for new ones. The maid found an old lamp lying around and gave it away, not knowing about its magical power. The evil sorcerer (and it was him again, not the merchant) grabbed the lamp and ordered the palace, along with the princess and all the inhabitants, to be transferred to their possessions.
Returning home, Aladdin did not see either the palace or the princess. Luckily, he still has the magic ring. The genie of the ring could not bring the palace back, but he was ready to help Aladdin find his beloved.
Palace in Africa
Laughter and cheerful songs ceased to sound in the palace. Badr-al-Budur and the maids longingly recalled their former happiness. But then Aladdin's voice rang out, and he ran into the princess's chambers. Joyfully met him Badr-al-Budur. Waiting for the return of the sorcerer, Badr-al-Budur gave him a sleepy drink, and he fell asleep soundly. The magic lamp was back in Aladdin's hands.
Homecoming
Aladdin ordered the palace to be returned to his hometown and never again parted with the beautiful Badr al-Budur.
Show summary
Marina reviews: 128 ratings: 129 rating: 34
On a snowy spring day, Kira and I got acquainted with another type of theatrical art: opera. For the first acquaintance, we chose the opera "Aladdin's Magic Lamp" at the Moscow Academic Musical Theater. K.S. Stanislavsky and Vl.I. Nemirovich-Danchenko.
Everyone knows the famous fairy tale about Aladdin, and the more interesting it is to watch the performance, knowing all the plot twists. Enjoy great music, beautiful voices, interesting scenery and original costumes.
You can admire the costumes endlessly; how bright and interesting they are, with beautiful embroidery, lots of beads, shiny fabrics. The abundance of transparent fabrics creates a magical flair around the beautiful Budur. Even the minor characters have costumes thought out to the smallest detail: wide oriental pants, unique headdresses; various wraps. In the oriental bazaar, you will not find townspeople in the same costumes: bright fabrics, oriental styles, unimaginable headdresses. It turned out to be a real market in the East: crowded, noisy, multi-colored. It is unlikely that any spectator remained indifferent to the brilliance of precious stones! It would seem that the colors and brightness are already over the edge, but the children dressed in rubies, topazes and diamonds added even more sparkle to the scene in the Sultan's palace! BRAVO!
Very interesting scenery: so simple at first glance, but at the same time in each scene they turn either into an impenetrable forest, or stalactites-stalagmites of an underground cave, or into the mirrored walls of a beautiful palace.
It was very interesting: how do the creators of the performance realize the huge Genie - the slave of the lamp. With the help of a huge screen and multimedia technology, everything turned out like a fairy tale! It was really gigantic! And what's interesting: not at all like the Genies I've seen in the books. It turned out completely unique and, I would even say, unexpected)
To all actors, ballet, orchestra - BRAVO! Their collective work, wonderful music, magnificent costumes turned the oriental fairy tale into real magic! Sequins and soap bubbles are a very unexpected solution for the theater. Princess Budur dancing in the rain of sparkles is a magical sight!
The genie of the ring (Dmitry Kondratkov) appeared only a few times during the performance, but each of his appearances was enchanting! Genie is a fan of Michael Jackson - this is something unexpected) His attire, movements! It's great that in such a serious musical theater there is a place for a sense of humor. BRAVO!
If you want a bright, magnificent and interesting spectacle, then the oriental fairy tale a MAMTe is what you need! You will find yourself in the magical world of "1001 Nights", where evil wizards, the brilliance of precious stones, the many-sided and crowded oriental bazaar, magical things with obedient Genies and, of course, love will be waiting for you!
If you have not yet decided whether you like opera or not, then an opera based on a fairy tale that you know well is a good option for a first acquaintance with opera art)
I really enjoyed the performance and recommend this opera for a must visit for children and their parents)
MAMT is a magical place in itself! The blue color that meets you everywhere attracts and you understand that this is love at first sight and forever)
Inna Usoltseva reviews: 76 ratings: 114 rating: 157
CINEMA OPERA
Today I watched the premiere opera "The Magic Lamp of Aladdin" in "Stasik". Yes, I just looked. Because visually, the performance was not just a success, but turned out to be incredibly spectacular and truly spectacular.
Surprising in their brilliance and special oriental expressiveness, the costumes, as well as minimalistic cubist-style scenery, perspective video projections and dazzling light and animation special effects created such a bright visual perception and accurate inner sensations picture that it seemed completely unnecessary to sing here.
And indeed, musically, the opera (if it can be called that at all) turned out to be very weak, starting from the vocals (although who would doubt the mediocrity of the Stasik vocalists) and ending with the musical material, the composer of which was the legendary Nino Rota. Yes, it was that Nino Rota - the famous film composer, Oscar winner, winner of the Grammy and Golden Globe awards, who wrote music for the works of F. Zeffirelli, F. Fellini, L. Visconti and, of course, F. Coppola (who does not know soulful beauty melody from "The Godfather"?)
And yet, I believe that it is better for film composers to write music for the cinema, and not for the live stage. The specificity of the musical illustration of film action is special when it is necessary to support the silent experiences and actions of the characters with certain melodies, to enhance the atmosphere of the action.
Vocals are still important in opera. Here you need to sing and the music should not only convey the emotions of the characters and the nuances of the circumstances, but also easily fall on the text, emphasize the expressiveness of the voice and simply go into the background in the right places, leaving the vocalist free to express the feelings of the hero.
Today we watched the orchestral accompaniment of the visual action - a beautiful "cinema", where it is not necessary to sing at all (even unnecessary), it is better to just be silent and enjoy the beauty of the stage picture and quite convincing musical accompaniment.
