New On Naxos | Issue: November 2022

NEW ON NAXOS | NOVEMBER 2022

Alexey Tikhomirov as Chub , Georgy Vasiliev as Vakula and Julia Muzychenko as Oksana © Monika Rittershaus

2.110738 Picture format: NTSC 16:9 Sound format: PCM stereo and AC3 surround 5.1 Language: Russian Subtitles: English, German, French, Japanese, Korean Region code: 0 (worldwide) No. of disc/s: 1 (DVD 9) Release Date: 11 Nov 2022

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Nikolay RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844–1908) Christmas Eve Opera in four acts (1894–95) Libretto by Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov based on the short story by Nikolay Gogol Sung in Russian Julia Muzychenko, Soprano • Enkelejda Shkoza, Mezzo-soprano Georgy Vasiliev, Andrei Popov, Tenors Alexey Tikhomirov, Anthony Robin Schneider, Basses Chor der Oper Frankfurt • Frankfurter Opern- und Museumsorchester Sebastian Weigle, Conductor • Christof Loy, Stage Director Composed using his own libretto, Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov created this magical opera based on the short story by Nikolay Gogol ‘The Night before Christmas’ in which Vakula the handsome blacksmith wants to marry the rich farmer’s daughter Oksana, who in turn demands that he must first bring her the Tsarina’s shoes. Meanwhile a witch on her broomstick gathers the stars and the devil steals the moon – demonic forces trying to hinder this romantic union. There is little repertoire in musical theatre in which enchantment and enlightenment come together so happily as in Rimsky-Korsakov’s fairy-tale operas, and this Oper Frankfurt production was considered ‘a perfect seasonal tonic’ by the Financial Times .

Key Features: •

Rimsky-Korsakov’s Christmas Eve is best known on recordings in its version as an orchestral suite, but, while there are one or two recordings of the complete opera on album this excellent DVD production stands alone, witness to the surprising rarity of this work’s appearance in today’s opera houses. Released in perfect time for the Christmas season, this opera is considered by musical director Sebastian Weigle to be a ‘great gift’ in every regard. •

Conductor Sebastian Weigle is well known for his numerous acclaimed opera recordings on the OehmsClassics label, while director Christof Loy is one of the most internationally sought-after opera and theatre directors of his generation. In 2016, he won the award for Best New Production for his Peter Grimes at the Theatre an den Wien at the International Opera Awards, where he was also named Director of the Year in 2017. Critical acclaim for this 2021–22 Oper Frankfurt production includes: ‘Sebastian Weigle’s musical direction paid careful attention to Rimsky-Korsakov’s rich orchestral writing … Georgy Vasiliev was a Vakula with a terse timbre and fiery lyric phrasing, well supported by the luminous Oksana, with agile singing, by Julia Muzychenko … Enkelejda Shkoza exploited at will a succulent chest record in an irresistible Solokha, Alexey Tikhomirov was a Chub of cavernous roundness’. ( Ópera Actual )

Sebastian Weigle

Georgy Vasiliev

Also available on Blu-ray Video: NBD0154V Picture format: HD 16:9 Sound format: PCM stereo and DTS-MA 5.1 Language: Russian Subtitles: English, German, French, Japanese, Korean Region code: A, B, C No. of disc/s: 1 (BD 50) Release Date: 11 Nov 2022

Julia Muzychenko

Companion Titles – Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, Composer

Companion Titles – Recommended Operas

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2.110731 (NBD0150V)

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