The Queen of Spades: Latvian National Opera

О событии

World stars will shine at the LNO — with manly tenor Aleksandrs Antoņenko as Herman and the Countess portrayed by legendary mezzo‐soprano Elena Obraztsova, who can be ranked ranges with such magical stage personalities as Maria Callas and Anna Magnani.

What is the deciding factor in a man's fate — love, which liberates from obsession, or the magnetic thrill of a game, which subjects the will with an iron fist? The story of Hermann, Lisa, and the old Countess in Pyotr Tchaikovsky's last opera fascinates with the speed of its action and the genius of its music.

The LNO production of the opera, at once fragile and fascinating, caused a wave of excitement among critics and opera‐goers. Everything that seems grotesque and satirically exaggerated is a documentary reflection of the time. The production is set against the backdrop of contemporary St. Petersburg, which acts like a silent participant in the story, setting the stage for this story of the seduction of money, the passion of love, and tragedy brought about by gambling.

Production
Conductor: Modestas Pitrenas, Martins Ozolins, Normunds Vaicis   
Stage Director: Andrejs Žagars   
Set Designer: Alexander Orlov   
Costume Designer: Kristīne Pasternaka   
Lighting Designer: Gleb Filshtinsky   
Choreographer: Elita Bukovska   

Cast
Herman : Aleksandrs Antoņenko   
Lisa: Liene Kinča   
Tomsky : Samsons Izjumovs   
Yeletsky : Jānis Apeinis   
Countess : Elena Obraztsova   
Pauline: Kristīne Zadovska, Olga Jakovļeva, Antra Bigača   
Prilepa: Eleonora Orlova , Evita Zālīte   
Surin: Rihards Mačanovskis, Krišjānis Norvelis, Armands Siliņš   
Tchekalinsky: Viesturs Jansons, Andris Lapiņš, Guntars Ruņģis   
Gouvernante: Ieva Kepe, Ilona Bagele, Andžella Goba   
Tchaplitssky: Miervaldis Jenčs, Nauris Puntulis   
Narumov: Andris Blaumanis