La Cieca never wants to hear you, the cher public, say that Jungfer Marianne Leitmetzerin is resting on her laurels. This week she presents for our delight a rare live performance of Tchaikovsky’s The Enchantress. Your doyenne is sure that, hearing this gorgeous score, you will follow the example of the plot synopsis: “Minstrels appear on the scene and the carousing is renewed with even greater vigor.”

Pyotr Ilyitch Tchaikovsky: Charodeyka (The Enchantress)

Arnold Schoenberg Chor
ORF Radio Symphonieorchestra-Wien
Mikhail Tatarnikov, conductor
Theater an der Wien
14 September 2014

Natasya, called “Kuma” – Asmik Gregorian
Prince Nikita Kurlyatev – Vladimir Sulimsky
Princess Yevpraksiya Romanovna, his wife – Agnes Zwierko
Prince Yuriy, their son – Maxim Aksenkov
Mamirov, an old deacon – Vladimir Ognovenko
Nenila, his sister – Hanna Schwarz
Ivan Zhuran, valet of Prince Yuriyi and lover to the Princess – Martijn Cornet
Foka, Kuma’s uncle – Martin Snell
Polja, Kuma’s friend – Natalia Kawalek-Plawniak
Balakin, a guest from Nizhniy-Novgorod – Arik Armin
Potop – Stefan Cerny
Lukasch – Vasily Efrimov
Kichiga – Nikolay Didenko
Payísy – Andres Conrad
Kudma, a sorcerer – Martin Winkler

Photo: Monika Rittershaus

La Cieca

James Jorden (who wrote under the names "La Cieca" and "Our Own JJ") was the founder and editor of parterre box. During his 20 year career as an opera critic he wrote for the New York Times, Opera, Gay City News, Opera Now, Musical America and the New York Post. He also raised his voice in punditry on National Public Radio. From time to time he directed opera, including three unsuccessful productions of Don Giovanni. He also contributed a regular column on opera for the New York Observer. James died in October 2023.

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