Mamontov's Private Opera: The Search for Modernism in Russian Theater (Russian Music Studies)

The Moscow Private Opera, founded, sponsored, and directed by Savva Mamontov (1841--1918), was one of Russia's most important theatrical institutions at the dawn of the age of modernism. It presented the Moscow premieres of Lohengrin, La Boh?me, and Khovanshchina, among others; launched the career of Feodor Chaliapin; gave Sergei Rachmaninov his first conducting job; employed Vasily Polenov, Victor Vasnetsov, Valentin Serov, Konstantin Korovin, and Mikhail Vrubel as set designers; and served as a model for Diaghilev's Ballets Russes. Part commercial enterprise, part experimental studio, Mamontov's company revolutionized opera directing and design, and trained a generation of opera singers. Drawing on a wealth of unpublished primary sources and evidence from art and theater history, Olga Haldey paints a fascinating portrait of a railway tycoon turned artiste and his pioneering opera company. The Moscow Private Opera, Founded, Sponsored, And Directed By Savva Mamontov (1841-1918), Was One Of Russia's Most Important Theatrical Institutions At The Dawn Of The Age Of Modernism. It Presented The Moscow Premieres Of Lohengrin, La Boheme, And Khovanshchina, Among Others; Launched The Career Of Feodor Chaliapin; Gave Sergei Rachmaninov His First Conducting Job; And Employed Vasily Polenov, Victor Vasnetsov, Valentin Serov, Konstantin Korovin, And Mikhail Vrubel As Set Designers. Part Commercial Enterprise, Part Experimental Studio, Mamontov's Company Revolutionized Opera Directing And Design, And Trained A Generation Of Opera Singers. Drawing On A Wealth Of Unpublished Primary Sources, And Drawing Evidence From Art And Theater History, As Well As Musicology, Olga Haldey Paints A Fascinating Portrait Of Savva Mamontov, Railway Tycoon Turned Artiste, And His Pioneering Opera Company. The Boldness Of Mamontov's Directing Experiments, Coupled With His Desire To Acquaint Any Willing Young Artist With His Methods, Irrevocably Affected Both The Aesthetics And The Careers Of Konstantin Stanislavsky And Vsevolod Meyerhold. Russia Preeminent Stage Directors Of The Early Twentieth Century. More Than This, Haldey Argues That The Moscow Private Opera Offered An Artistic And Organizational Model For Sergei Diaghilev's Iconic Ballets Russes. By Guiding Young Diaghilev Into The World Of Theater And Sharing His Ideal Of Synthesis Of The Arts And Collaborative Creativity, Savva Mamontov Exerted A Profound Influence On The World Of Art In The Twentieth Century.--jacket. The Silver Age And The Legacy Of The 1860s -- Serving The Beautiful -- Echoes Of Abramtsevo -- Visual Impressions -- Opera As Drama -- From Meiningen To Meyerhold -- Politics, Repertory, And The Market -- Faces Of The Enterprise. Olga Haldey. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Contents......Page 8 Acknowledgments......Page 10 Note on Transliteration and Translation......Page 12 List of Abbreviations......Page 14 Introduction......Page 18 1 The Silver Age and the Legacy of the 1860s......Page 32 2 Serving the Beautiful......Page 52 3 Echoes of Abramtsevo......Page 85 4 Visual Impressions......Page 105 5 Opera as Drama......Page 187 6 From Meiningen to Mey......Page 228 7 Politics, Repertory, and the Market......Page 265 8 Faces of the Enterprise......Page 318 Appendix A. Brief Chronology of Savva Mamontov’s Life and Career......Page 348 Appendix B. Selected Premieres and Revivals at the Moscow Private Opera......Page 352 Notes......Page 354 Works Cited......Page 396 Plate Section ......Page 147 Index......Page 402