Tchaikovsky’s last opera, Iolanta, is tender, magical and poignant and depicts the fascinating story of a princess who has been blind from birth. Growing up in an enclosed garden near the castle, her father (King Rene) has managed to keep Iolanta unaware of her blindness. But Iolanta can’t help but feel something is missing, until one day she meets Count Vaudemont and falls in love….
Extolling the healing power of love, Iolanta is an opera particularly notable for its final joyous hymn of praise, as well as its love duet and distinctive opening prelude which features only winds.
Olga Kulchynska plays Iolanta
Playing the title role at this performance in Poole will be soprano Olga Kulchynska who Parterre described as “A standout, with a bright, vibrant voice and a magnetic stage presence.” Established as one of the leading lyrical sopranos of her generation she’s recently starred in her Handel debut as Ginevra in Ariodante at Opéra de Paris as well as Mimì in La bohème with Opernhaus Zürich. Olga has also performed at the Royal Opera House London and the Metropolitan Opera of New York, amongst many others.
She’ll be joined on stage by a cast full of exciting names in the opera world including Goderdzi Janelidze (King Rene), Yuriy Yurchyk (Robert), Alexey Dolgov (Count Vaudemont), Maxim Aniskin (Ibn-Hakia), Blaise Malaba (Bertrand) , Egor Zhuravskii (Almerick), Maria Schellenberg (Marta), Galina Averina (Brigitte) and Natalia Kutateladze (Laura).
Goderdzi Janelidze plays King Rene
Heather Duncan, Head of Concerts and Artistic Planning, said,“We are very excited to bring together these outstanding singers to fulfil Kirill’s longstanding wish to conduct Iolanta with the BSO. It’s a spellbinding and powerful work, extolling the healing power of love, and we can’t wait to see it performed here at Lighthouse Poole!”
Iolanta is performed on 8 May at Lighthouse Poole. For more information and tickets click here.