Music composed by Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky to his own libretto
after Friedrich von Schiller’s Die Jungfrau von Orleans
(1801), tragedy translated by Vasily Andreyevich Zhukovsky, Jules
Barbier’s Jeanne d’Arc and Auguste Mermet’s
libretto for his own opera, after Barbier (1876), with various details
adapted from Henri Wallon’s biography of Joan of Arc.
First Performance: 13/25 February 1881, Mariinsky
Theatre, St Petersburg
| Principal Roles: | |
| Joan of Arc | Soprano/Mezzo-Soprano |
| King Charles VII | Tenor |
| AgnËs Sorel | Soprano |
| Dunois, French knight | Baritone |
| Lionel, Burgundian knight | Baritone |
| Archbishop (Cardinal in first production) | Bass |
| Raymond, Joan’s betrothed | Tenor |
| Thibaut d’Arc, Joan’s father | Bass |
| Bertrand, a peasant | Bass |
| Lauret | Bass |
| A Soldier | Bass |
| Voice from the Angelic Choir | Soprano |
Setting: France, 1431
Synopsis:
Act I
A forest near DomrÈmy
Thibaut, father of Joan, wants her to marry Raymond. Joan refuses,
declaring that she must follow her divine destiny. Enraged, her father
accuses her to be in league with the devil. News arrives that the English are
devastating nearby villages. Joan inspires all to hope because Salisbury, the
English commander, is destined to perish. When a soldier brings news of the
death of Salisbury; all sing hanks to the Lord. Joan bids farewell to save
France.
Act II
At the Castle of Chinon
The minstrels sing and gypsies dance to amuse King Charles VII and his
mistress AgnËs Sorel. The vassal Dunois informs the King that the royal
treasure is exhausted. He urges the King to take arms. To the disdain of
Dunois, AgnËs offers him to contribute her own money to finance the war. The
archbishop receives a report of a miracle — the French have won thanks
to troops led by a young girl. Joan presents herself to the King, telling him
her story. The King gives her command of the army.
Act III
Near Reims
Giovanna engages in a duel with Lionel, a Burgundian allied with the
English. But when she is about to strike the deadly blow, Joan sees his face,
evoking tender pity. They immediately fall in love. Lionel swears allegiance
to the French cause. At the cathedral of Reims a great crowd forms to
celebrate Charles’ coronation. Thibaut publicly accuses Joan of
witchcraft. Dunois defends her and the archbishop questions her. Feeling
guilty of her love for Lionel, Joan remains silent. Lionel implores her to
run away; but she accuses him that his love has caused her downfall.
Act IV
In the forest
Lionel and Joan embrace. A choir of angels sings a warning to the girl:
she has betrayed her divine mission She must therefore suffer before she
receives salvation. An English contingent arrives, killing Lionel and
capturing Joan.
At the old market of Rouen
The English condemn Joan to the stake for being a witch. Joan asks Dunois
for a cross, which he gives her. As the fire consumes her, the celestial
voices promise her a place next to God.
Click here for the complete libretto (Russian).
Click
here for the complete text of Die Jungfrau von
Orleans.
Click
here for the complete score.
image=http://www.operatoday.com/joangauguin.gif
image_description=Joan of Arc by Paul Gauguin
audio=yes
first_audio_name=Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky:The Maid of OrlÈans: [Orleanskaya deva]
first_audio_link=http://www.operatoday.com/Maid1.m3u
product=yes
product_title=Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky:The Maid of OrlÈans: [Orleanskaya deva]
product_by=Irina Arkhipova: Joan; Vladimir Makhov: King Charles; Klavdiya Radchenko: AgnËs Sorel; Vladimir Valaitis: Dunois: Sergey Yavkovchenko: Lionel; Lev Vernigora: Archbishop; Andrey Sokolov: Raymond; Viktor Selivanov: Bertrand; Vartan Makelian: Soldier; Yevgeny Vladimirov: Thibaut. Moscow Radio Chorus and Symphony Orchestra. Gennady Rozhdestvensky, conducting. Moscow, 1971.