Opera Productions by Inhabitants of Tomsk in 1900-1920

One of the interesting moments in the history of the musical life of the Tomsk city are the productions of the operas, which were attended by local amateur and semi-professional artists. Tomsk differed markedly greater activity of musical life from other Siberian cities in the early XXth century. This certainly contributed to the activities of the Tomsk branch of the Imperial Russian musical society and his music classes, the opening of institutions of higher learning: University and Technological Institute. This aspect of musical life in Tomsk little covered in the literature, and in the present work is an attempt to recover a gap in coverage of Tomsk musical history. Coming at the beginning of the 20th century in Tomsk as a teacher for singing famous singer J. Karklin, who was soloist of the Bolshoi Theatre, revived the interest of inhabitants of Tomsk to Opera. Karklin organized a large choir, which performed successfully choirs from operas. The concerts began to be performed vocal ensembles from operas. For example, in one of the concerts of the year 1902 Tomsk amateur singers performed a rather complex quintet from Glinka's opera “Ruslan and Lyudmila”, and one of the participants of the A. Boleslavova performed in concerts virtuosic Aria of the Queen of the night from the “Magic Flute” by Mozart. In October 1908, was undertaken Opera by Dargomyzhsky “Rusalka”, which produced a famous singer in Russia V.A. Tsvetkov, inadvertantly worked in Tomsk in 1908-1912. Tsvetkov was invited to take the place of the Director of the music classes. During this period were active music community of the city to transform classes in musical college, and Tsvetkov became the first Director of the of music college. After Tsvetkov leaving City activity Opera productions in Tomsk has been significantly reduce. A certain weakening of interest in Opera productions was also associated with the events of World War I, which began in the year 1914, when part of the teachers and students were called upon to the army. In 1913 year twice passed the opera by Rimsky-Korsakov's “May night” staged under the direction of L.N. Vissonov, servant of one city institution, and became the then choirmaster, great connoisseur of singing and choirs. Vissonov served as regent for several years one of the biggest cathedrals in Tomsk. Accompanist when Opera was Ivan Sokolov. This year was marked by the staging of opera performances. In addition to “May night” performances were conducted operas “A life for the Tsar” by M. Glinka, S. Rachmaninoffs “Aleko”, “Mandarin Son” Cui. In April 1913 Opera evening took place with the performance of scenes from operas “Carmen” by Bizet and Gounod's “Faust”. “Military” 1916 year was interesting several opera productions. In March this year, the forces of the teachers and students of the College was put “Eugene Onegin”. Staging took place, which became the School Director, K. Ardatov. The opera was accompanied by pianist F. Petkevich because gather desired Orchestra could not-many musicians have been called to active duty. Some musical episodes maintained a small Orchestra conducted by violinist A. Buzdyhanov. T omsk in the period under review was different from other Siberian cities in that it operated two additional private music schools, which also attempts to Opera productions. These were schools, managed by experienced teachers pianist M. Shilovskaya and F. Tjutrjumova. In these schools the teachers experienced vocal displayed initiative and in the setting of individual rooms, scenes and individual acts of operas. Naturally, many operas performed by forces of the musical art lovers, with lots of notes, both orchestral and vocal and choral. However, it cannot be denied that the vast emotional and musical influence and impact of these amateur semi-professional productions. They have become an integral part of musical history in Tomsk. The evidence, in our opinion, show that staging opera performances in the early XXth century were an essential part of musical life in the city and helped shape the cultural image of the city.

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