Dead Souls
Korobochka's Aria-Portrait from the Opera "Dead So

Composer: Shchedrin, Rodion
Lyricists: Shchedrin, Rodion (Libretto)
Playing time: 162:0
Opus/Year: (1976)
Genre: Opera
Instrumentation: 4(Picc,AFl),2,3(BKlar),3(KFag) – 4,3,3,1 – 5 Schl (4 Pk, Crot, Flex, Maracas, Guiro, Peitsche, Chocolo, Charleston, Tempelbl, Cow bells, Tamb, Bongos, MilitärTr, kl.Tr, gr.Tr, Bk, hg.Bk, 3 Gongs, 3 Tam-t, KirchenGl, Glsp, Xyl, Vibr), Balalaika, E-Git/BGit, Harfe, Cel, Cemb, Streicher (0/0/12/10/8) – Chor (Mezzosopran, Alt [Soli] 8S/8A/6T/6B [im Orchestergraben])
Premiere performance: 07.06.1977 / D

Content:

With the intention of improving his reputation and credit-worthiness by feigning to possess as many serfs as possible, staff advisor Chichikov travels over the country to have deceased serfs – still registered as being alive – transferred to him by landowners. After he has attended a large dinner at the district attorney’s, he visits the landowners of the area in order to buy deceased serf farmers – “dead souls.” He first goes to Manilov, who is only convinced of the legality of the deal after initial confusion. Then Chichikov pays a visit to the female landowner Korobochka who, at first out of fear of being outsmarted, first wants to find out the general customary price for “dead souls.” Chichikov now visits the landowner Nosdryov, then the landowner Sobakevich, who even offers him his ancestors for a high price, and finally the stingy Plyushkin, who is only ready to do business if a regular purchase contract is concluded. The news of Chichikov’s purchases makes the rounds and is the main topic of conversation at the Governor’s ball. In the city, people wrack their brains over the person Chichikov; the most varied rumours circulate as to his origins. The suspicion that he could be a auditor causes the district attorney to commit suicide. He is also said to have abducted the governor’s daughter as his bride. When Nosdryov accuses him of the abduction and opines that people consider him a robber or an agent, Chichikov leaves in a very great hurry.

Movements:

- AKT NR.1: -
EINLEITUNG (1) 1:30
MITTAGESSEN BEI DEM STAATSANWALT (2) 10:00
DIE STRASSE (3) 17:00
MANILOW (4) 16:30
SCHIBJEN (5) 4:00
SCHÄCHTELCHEN (6) 12:00
LIEDER (7) 2:00
NOSDRJEW (8) 15:00
- AKT NR.2: -
SOBAKJEWITSCH (9) 10:00
KUTSCHER SJELIFAN (10) 2:00
PLJUSCHKIN (11) 7:30
KLAGELIED DER SOLDATINNEN (12) 1:00
BALL BEI DEM GOUVERNEUR (13) 22:00
- AKT NR.3: -
VORGESANG (14) 1:30
TSCHITSCHIKOW (15) 3:30
ZWEI DAMEN (16) 7:30
GEREDE IN DER STADT (17) 16:00
DAS TOTENAMT (18) 3:00
SZENE UND FINALE (19) 10:00

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