[MusicTlk] Russian literary classics at the opera stage - cycle of lectures

[Ekaterina Yanduganova]

*Borderlines Open School for Advanced Cross-Cultural Studies*, an
interdisciplinary and cross-cultural teaching and research organization,
presents a new course on Music / Russian studies:



*Russian Literary Classics on the Opera Stage*

*Instructor: Philip Bullock – an Oxford don, researcher of Russian
literature and music*

Why have Russian composers been so drawn to works taken from their national
literature? Can opera be conceived as a translation of literature? What
balance of fidelity and creativity will this adaptation demand? And why do
some operatic adaptations overshadow the original work of literature on
which they are based? During four meetings designed for lovers of both
Russian literature and music, Philip Bullock will address four composers –
Tchaikovsky, Musorgsky, Shostakovich and Prokofiev – and the works of
literature that they adapted for the operatic stage. In doing so, he will
explore authors such as Pushkin, Leskov and Tolstoy, observe what is lost
and gained in such acts of ‘translation’ from one artistic medium to
another, and trace a story of affinity, affection and occasional
disagreement between the two sister arts.

The first introductory webinar was held on April 7. You can watch the
recording here: https://borderlinesopenschool.org/webinar0407

The meetings will be held on Wednesdays, April 27, May 4, 11, 18
(5:00-6:30pm EDT). To enroll in the full course, please visit
https://borderlinesopenschool.org/courses/p/russian-literary-classics-on-the-opera-stage.
Use the promo code FRIEND to receive a 40% discount.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact
admin at borderlinesopenschool.org