The opera Il trovatore, a production of the Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre, has been shortlisted for the Golden Mask, the highest national theatre award. The production became a vibrant cultural event in Vladivostok this May, and now has received federal-level recognition.
The production, created by Stage Director Vyacheslav Starodubtsev and Set Designer Pyotr Okunev, invites audiences to immerse themselves in the world of fierce passions and calamitous mistakes of the medieval Spain. The laconic yet striking set design, including costumes and sets crafted in the workshops of the Primorsky Stage, aims to highlight the tragic intensity of the plot and its emotional tension.
Verdi’s Il trovatore is an opera where you won’t get bored. Its puzzling plot, once a target for critics, in the Primorsky Stage company’s interpretation emerges as a model of romantic irrationalism, where powerful passions, sharp contrasts, and dramatic situations come into the fore. The action unfolds in spectacular locations: from a palace and a convent to a gypsy camp and a prison. The action almost always takes place on a mysterious night.
As Enrico Caruso once noted, the opera’s success depends primarily on the soloists. The plot centers on four vivid characters: the beautiful noble lady Leonora (soprano), the brave troubadour Manrico (tenor), the cruel Count di Luna (baritone), and the tragic gypsy Azucena (mezzo-soprano), torn between maternal love and a thirst for revenge. The score is adorned by powerful choruses and ensembles that reveal the full vocal richness of the opera, while the orchestra provides the perfect support for Verdi’s timeless melodies.
In Vladivostok, Il trovatore will be performed on December 18, 2025 and January 23, 2026. Pavel Smelkov, Principal Conductor of the Primorsky Stage, will take the baton.
