The story of Nikolai Gogol "Taras Bulba" inspired many domestic and foreign composers. In total, more than 10 pieces of music were created based on her motives. Not all of them were successful, and some were never put on stage.
The first operas based on "Taras Bulba"
The first opera based on the story of Gogol was created by composer Nikolai Yakovlevich Afanasyev around 1860. Nikolai Afanasyev was the author of many successful operas such as La Bayadere, Joseph, Robert the Devil, but his Taras Bulba does not belong to the best part of the author’s legacy - the opera has never been staged.
"Taras Bulba" by Russian composer Kashperov was first staged in 1887 on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater. The opera was a success, but it never became a classic: now it is not in the repertoires of the leading theaters in the world.
Musical works based on Taras Bulba were also created by Küner (for the Mariinsky Theater), Argentine composer Arturo Berutti, Russian author Trailin and Frenchman Russo.
On the plot of "Taras Bulba" a large-scale opera of Sokalsky's "Siege of Dubno" was created. The composer began work on it in 1876, and finished in 1884. According to critics, the work was not designed in the right style, the composer lacked experience and knowledge, although his innate talent is felt in the opera.
Entire Taras Bulba Sokalsky was not set anywhere.
Opera "Taras Bulba" Lysenko
Ukrainian composer Nikolai Lysenko became the author of the most famous opera based on the story of Gogol. Lysenko created his work for 10 years, from 1880 to 1890, but the first productions were released only in the 20s of the 20th century. The composer did not have time to completely complete his version of "Taras Bulba", which remained unordered.
Steinberg did the first edition of the opera, but he only supplemented the original version with orchestration. The editors of Revutsky, Lyatoshinsky and Rylsky greatly enriched the work. They reworked the overture, and wrote several new scenes, including the finale of the opera - the burning of Taras. In addition, the plot was somewhat revised: its focus shifted from Andria's tragedy to the general picture of historical events and the personality of Taras. "Taras Bulba" Lysenko is considered one of the brightest works of Ukrainian opera, the peak of its development. It combines the heritage of Glinka, Mussorgsky and other great Russian composers with folk Ukrainian motifs.
