The idea of creating this opera arose afterP. I. Tchaikovsky got acquainted with the drama of the Danish writer G. Hertz called “The daughter of King René”. It is noteworthy that the composer’s brother M.I. Tchaikovsky wrote the libretto to the future opera after the premiere of the play “Daughter of King René” on the stage of the Moscow Small Theater. To us this drama is known under the name "Iolanta". The opera, a brief summary of which turned out to be the subject of interest today, is a truly touching lyrical work.
Blind Princess
What is this drama about?The action takes place in the distant XV century, on the territory of southern France in the province of Provence. It is there, in the mountains, there is a majestic castle, where the only daughter of the powerful king lives. The girl is incredibly beautiful, but struck by nature a terrible disease. She is completely blind.
Her father, King Rene, loves his daughter very much andtrying by all means to cure the unfortunate girl (by the way, her name is Iolanthe). The opera, a brief summary of which we recall, tells us about the royal prohibition of his subjects to talk about the sunlight and the colors that fill the world.
Doctor's verdict
However, Rene continues to actively seeka way to cure a daughter. He calls from a distant country a famous Moorish doctor by the name of Ebn Hakia. In order not to embarrass the girl, the Moorish doctor examines her while sleeping. Ebn-Hakia informs the king of the sad news. In his opinion, Iolanta can return sight, but for this, the girl herself must very much want it.
Rene is confused. How does he discover the world around him in which Iolanthe lives? The opera (a summary, of course, will not convey the lyrics of music) reveals paternal feelings and doubts very clearly.
Lost travelers
While the king painfully pondered over furtheractions, in the royal garden randomly wandered two stray traveler. These are young noblemen Gottfried Vaudemon - the Burgundian knight, and his faithful friend Duke Robert. The young men do not know that they have fallen into the royal garden, and are trying to find someone who could tell the way to the lost servants.
Wandering through the royal garden, they accidentallydiscover Iolantu sleeping on the terrace of the palace. And if Robert accepted this fact indifferently, then Vaudemont was amazed from the very beginning by the beauty of the girl. The libretto of the opera “Iolanta” (P. I. Tchaikovsky wrote it in 1891) tells us that the behavior of the young Duke Robert is explained by being in love with the Lotargin Countess Matilda. However, the honor given by his parents obliged Robert to connect his life with Princess Iolanthe, daughter of King René, whom he had never seen. Talking about his feelings to Wademon, Robert complains about the injustice of fate. But Vaudemont advises a friend not to rush and rely on the wisdom of King Rene. Say, he will surely understand Robert and cancel the engagement.
Aroused desire
How is the libretto of the opera Iolanthe going on?The summary will continue from the moment Iolanthe, upon hearing unfamiliar voices, wakes up. She rushes to meet the young noblemen and, faced with them, asks who they are and where they came from in the garden. Wodemont explains to the girl that they are stray travelers. The girl offers them guilt, but Robert, fearing a trap, refuses and leaves to look for the backward servants.
Vaudemont is amazed at the beauty of Iolanta, but finds outthat the girl is absolutely blind. She does not even know that the flowers of roses have different shades. Vaudemont talks about the beauty of the surrounding world, but Iolanthe (a brief summary does not contain the whole dialogue) does not understand the young man. All that Vaudemonon described did not fit in her head. She does not know how to react to this, whether she wants to see the world around her.
Узнав об этом, король разгневался.But at the same time, he saw a chance to introduce Iolantu exactly in the exciting state of which the doctor spoke. Rene is threatened with the execution of Vodémon if the girl cannot see as a result of the treatment. Iolanthe, frightened for the life of Vaudemona who had already become close, assures her father that he wants to see. The doctor starts the operation.
Happy lovers
Here appears Duke Robert, together with the faithful.by the servants. He is a little embarrassed when he sees King Rene. After all, with his daughter he will have to link his life. Vodémon hints to Robert that the time has come for an explanation with the king. Rejecting doubts, Robert confesses to the king of his love for Countess Matilde and asks to save him from the word given by his parents. Oddly enough, Rene agrees. He refuses his previous agreements with the young man’s parents, according to which Iolanthe should become Robert’s wife.
The opera, a brief summary of which is already coming to a finale, ends with the princess “receiving” the sight. To celebrate, King René gives the hand of his daughter Vaudemont.
