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Kirov Opera PerformanceAt the Kennedy Center on December 18-20th, 2003The world-renowned Kirov Opera led by Valery Gergiev returns for the second of ten annual visits funded by Alberto Vilar with two full-length operas by Tchaikovsky. Mazeppa One of the great pillars of the Mariinsky repertoire, Tchaikovsky's soaring Mazeppa depicts the legendary 17th-century Ukrainian separatist in both his political and romantic exploits. Taking inspiration from Pushkin's epic poem Poltava, the opera follows the enigmatic yet aging military leader Mazeppa as he falls in love with Maria, the young daughter of Kochubey, a Cossack judge. Denied the judge's blessing to marry, Mazeppa and Maria decide to elope, an action that compels Kochubey to reveal Mazeppa's secret revolutionary plans-a plot to turn the Ukraine into an independent state-to Tsar Peter the Great. What follows is a climactic series of shocking betrayals, heart-pounding duels, and a tragic descent into madness, all set to Tchaikovsky's glorious music. |
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