“Iolanta”, lyric opera in one act, Op. 69

For soloists, chorus and orchestra.

Composition date: 1891.

Libretto by Modest Tchaikovsky after Henrik Hertz’s King René’s Daughter. Written in 1891 and premiered at the Mariinsky Theatre...Read more

For soloists, chorus and orchestra.

Composition date: 1891.

Libretto by Modest Tchaikovsky after Henrik Hertz’s King René’s Daughter. Written in 1891 and premiered at the Mariinsky Theatre in 1892 on a double bill with The Nutcracker. Dedicated to Alexander III.

Synopsis. Blind from birth, Iolanta does not know she is blind: King René has forbidden anyone to tell her about light. The physician Ibn-Hakia believes that a desire to see is essential for recovery. Vaudémont tells Iolanta about sight and awakens her love. To strengthen her wish to recover, the king declares that Vaudémont will be executed if the treatment fails. Iolanta gains her sight; Robert is released from his earlier betrothal to her, and she is united with Vaudémont.

Score numbers:
Introduction Andante quasi Adagio
No. 1 Scene Andante semplice; Iolanta's Arioso Larghetto, a tempo molto rubato
No. 2 Scene Adagio con moto; Chorus Allegro
No. 3 Scene Moderato mosso; Chorus Moderato assai
No. 4 Scene Allegro semplice; [ King René's Arioso ] Andante
No. 5 Scene Allegro moderato; Ebn-Hakia's Monologue Adagio con moto
No. 6 Scene Allegro vivo; Robert's Aria Allegro vivo
No. 6a Vaudémont's Romance Andante quasi Adagio
No. 7 Scene Allegro non troppo; Duet for Iolanta and Vaudémont Moderato mosso
No. 8 Scene Allegro vivo—Allegro agitato
No. 9 FInale Allegro non troppo—Moderato assai

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