Alexander Pushkin
Other operas based on stories or poems by Alexander Pushkin:
Eugene Onegin - Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
The Miserly Knight - Sergei Rachmaninov
Boris Godounov (Boris Godounoff, Boris Godunov) - Modest Mussorgsky
The Golden Cockerel (Zolotoy petushok, Le Coq d'Or) - Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
The Queen of Spades (Pique Dame) - Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
Information about the opera The Queen of Spades by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, and the best recordings available on CD or DVD, or for download.
Based on a short story by Pushkin, with a libretto by the composer's brother, it was written in five months.
Synopsis
The opera tells the story of the soldier Hermann who falls in love with the aristocratic Lisa. She has the nickname "The Queen of Spades" because of her three-card combination that always wins.
Recommended recordings on CD
Ozawa/Atlantov/Ciesinski (RCA 09026 60992)
A fine recording.
Tanglewood Festival Chorus, Boston Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Seiji Ozawa, 1992.
Cast: Vladimir Atlantov (Herman), Katherine Ciesinski (Lisa), Mirella Freni (Countess), Dmitri Hvorostovsky (Count Tomsky).
RCA 09026 60992
Gergiev/Grigorian/Guleghina (Philips 438 141-2)
Kirov Theater Chorus, Kirov Theater Orchestra, conducted by Valery Gergiev, 4/1992.
Cast: Gegam Grigorian (Herman), Maria Guleghina (Lisa), Olga Borodina (Countess), Vladimir Chernov (Count Tomsky).
Philips 438 141-2
Recommended recordings on DVD
Boder/Didyk/Magee (OA 1050 D)
An opulent production capturing St. Petersburg in the era of Catherine the Great.
Orchestra and Chorus of the Gran Theatre del Liceu, conducted by Michael Boder, 2010.
Cast: Misha Didyk (Herman), Emily Magee (Lisa), Ewa Podles (Countess), Lado Ataneli (Count Tomsky).
OA 1050 D