Stanislavsky Theatre
Performed in Russian The performance has 1 intermission Running time: 3 hours The Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Music Theatre, located just 750 metres from the Bolshoi Theatre, presents the first Russian production of Jacques Offenbach’s comic opera Robinson Crusoe. The production features distinguished performers, including artists who have sung on the stage of the Bolshoi Theatre and who trained within the same renowned vocal and theatrical academies that shape leading Russian opera talent. This staging brings together director Alexander Titel, conductor Arif Dadashev, and designer Vladimir Arefiev, with a new Russian text for both dialogue and musical numbers commissioned from Alexey Ivashchenko. Premiered in Paris in 1867, Robinson Crusoe quickly traveled across Europe, with celebrated productions in Vienna and Brussels and, soon after, a transatlantic debut in the United States. The 20th century saw renewed international interest, marked by new stagings in London and Paris and an influential recording released by Opera Rara in 1981. While inspired by Daniel Defoe’s enduring novel about a sailor stranded on a desert island, Offenbach and his librettists approach the story with comedic freedom. In this lighthearted retelling, Robinson’s fiancée, Yadviga, sets out in search of him, and before long, the supposedly deserted island becomes the unlikely meeting point of a delightfully colorful company of characters. Director Alexander Titel notes: “This is a story of ‘prodigal sons,’ endlessly discovering the world both for themselves and for us. They are the ones who venture into space, advance science, create art. Curiosity, risk, a taste for adventure — this is the spark of life. In Offenbach’s luxuriant ensembles there is exploration, romance, and an ocean of sheer joy, which we hope to share with our audience — so much so that we are ready to come closer to them.” SynopsisAct I Kind old England. The family of Sir William and Deborah Crusoe is gathered together among their relatives. Everything is prepared for tea. They are waiting for Robinson, the son of Sir William and Deborah. As usual, he is late. Sir William reads to those present from the Bible – the parable of the Prodigal Son. In the distance, Robinson’s voice is heard, singing of a white schooner on the ocean, and unintentionally revealing his secret: he dreams of distant voyages. Robinson apologizes for being late, and he is immediately forgiven. Now they await Robinson’s friend Toby, who is supposed to bring the ham. Finally, he arrives, and everyone is assembled. During tea, Robinson and Toby manage to exchange a few words, from which the family learns that the two friends are planning to sail to faraway islands. However, no one takes this seriously. When the guests disperse, Robinson explains the plan to Toby in detail: they are bound for South America, and the captain of the schooner is already waiting for them this very night. Their secret is overheard by Suzanne, Toby’s fiancée. She forces Toby to renounce the journey with Robinson — which he does, claiming that he cannot bear the sea’s motion. Yet Robinson remains determined to set off, even alone. Sir William and Deborah decide to seek help from their niece Yadviga, who is in love with Robinson: they are sure that if she confesses her love, he will abandon his dangerous idea. But even Yadviga’s heartfelt confession cannot change his decision. Robinson sets out to meet adventure. Six years have passed since the shipwreck. Robinson survived. He lives on an island far from civilization, assisted in daily tasks by Friday — a native he once saved. Robinson tells Friday about his love for Yadviga. Friday is excited; he delights in becoming a “civilized” man. Act II Meanwhile, Robinson’s family has not forgotten their prodigal son. Yadviga, Toby, and Suzanne have set out to search for him. Unfortunately, Yadviga has fallen into the hands of islanders. They call her the “White Goddess” and are preparing to sacrifice her to the god Sarana. Toby and Suzanne have also suffered misfortune. First captured by pirates, then escaping only to be seized by the islanders, they now await a grim fate. They speak with a tribesman named Papayo, who seems less bloodthirsty than the others. There is good news and bad news. The good news: Papayo is actually an Englishman, Jim Cox, also from Bristol. The bad news: the captives are to become the main ingredient in a ceremonial feast he is preparing. However, Cox is willing to compromise: he will make soup from only one of them — and leaves the lovers to decide who it shall be. Which love is truer — the one who is ready to die, or the one who is willing to live with grief? Toby and Suzanne find the question surprisingly difficult to resolve. Jim Cox tells them about the “White Goddess,” whom they recognize as Yadviga. At the crucial moment, Friday falls in love with her and saves her from the islanders. The friends are free again — but Friday is now angry with Robinson, having discovered jealousy for the first time in his life. Just then, pirates land on the island. Robinson manages to use their greed to trick them, seize their firearms, and escape. The furious pirates pursue him — but Friday calls his fellow tribesmen, the Tamayo, who come to their aid. Robinson and his companions return to Bristol — to homesickness and a normal life — leaving the pirates and the islanders to resolve their quarrels on their own.
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