Composition history
One of only two operas written by Prokofiev on a Soviet subject (the other being ''Performance history
The reception of ''Semyon Kotko'' at its premiere was moderately enthusiastic, but at that time ideology took precedence over all other considerations, and discussions in the press focused exclusively around ''Semyon Kotkos importance as a “Soviet Opera”. The inherent quality of the music was simply ignored. Yet the production made a deep impression on the pianist Sviatoslav Richter, who recalled: "The premiere of the opera was a momentous event in my life ..That evening, when I first heard ''Semyon Kotko'', I understood that Prokofiev was a great composer."Sviatoslav Richter "On Prokofiev", pp. 187–8: from ''Sergei Prokofiev: Materials, Articles, Interviews'' compiled by Vladimir Blok: Progress Publishers, 1978 The opera was dropped from the Soviet repertoire in 1941, and it was not staged again anywhere until 1958 at Brno in Czechoslovakia. It finally entered the repertory of theRoles
Synopsis
:Place: Ukraine :Time: 1918. The newly established Bolshevik government has reached peace with the Germans, but some of their forces still occupy the territory. The advancing Red Army is hampered by Ukrainian nationalists and the remaining Germans. Semyon, a demobilized soldier and prominent young man in his village, is hoping to marry Sofya, daughter of the wealthy Tkachenko. The latter hopes to restore the old order and plots with loyalist elements and Germans to undermine the revolution and to thwart Semyon's marital intentions. In the end, Semyon, after Tkachenko's intrigues have cost the lives of two friends, is reunited with Sofya, and Tkachenko is arrested and executed leaving behind the merry chorus of the Red Army.Recordings
Suite from ''Semyon Kotko''
The orchestral suite, Op. 81a, consists of 8 movements, lasting around 40 minutes. #''Introduction'' #''Semyon and His Mother'' #''The Betrothal'' #''The Southern Night'' #''Execution'' #''The Village is Burning'' #''Funeral'' #''Ours Have Come''Recordings of the suite
References
{{Authority control Operas by Sergei Prokofiev Russian-language operas Operas 1939 operas 1940 operas Operas set in Ukraine Operas based on novels