Serov: Judith

 Opera

Serov: Judith

Soloists

Bolshoi Theatre orchestra

Andreï Tchistiakov

Serov occupies a place between Glinka and the mature operas of Tchaikovsky and The Five. He is now almost a forgotten figure and he never had much traction in the West but he was admired by Tchaikovsky and others at the time. But he was also the subject of some very biting criticism from Stasov, the leading music critic in mid 19th century Russia.’the whole psychological aspect of drama was absolutely alien to him and beyond him. You will not hear a single passage in any of this three operas which expressed heartfelt emotion, genuine warmth of feeling, or passion.’ There’s plenty more where that came from.

I read this before I listened to the opera, so my expectations were not high. But it seemed that I was listening to something completely different. I thought that this was a splendid piece - full of colour and drama and with some highly attractive melodic writing. As to be expected in a Russian opera of this period there is some notable choral writing and dance music. And the final ensemble with an impassioned soprano solo was superb - really made the hairs stand up on the back of the neck.

So a really impressive piece. The contrast with the Tchaikovsky yesterday in this project was very marked. One a major composer being distinctly under par: the other a minor composer really hitting the jackpot.