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Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–1893): Opera "Charodeyka"
A four-act opera (1887)
Libretto: Ippolit Shpazhinsky (1844–1917)

Cast:
- Kuma (Nastasha), the beautiful and intelligent widow running an inn near Nizhny Novgorod, the title "Charodeyka" means "Enchanting Woman" — Asmik Grigorian (Soprano)
- Prince Nikita — Ian McNeill (Baritone)
- Princess Yefpraksiya (Nikita’s wife) — Claudia Maanke (Mezzo-Soprano)
- Yuri (Nikita’s son) — Aleksandr Mikhaylov (Tenor)
- Mamirolov / Kuzima — Frederick Jost (Bass)
- Nenyla — Zanda Sheveede (Mezzo-Soprano)
- Ivan Jurlan — Bozidar Smiljanic (Bass-Baritone)
- Foka — Dietrich Foll (Bass)
- Polya — Nonblero Jende (Soprano)
- Barakin — Jonathan Abanasy (Tenor)
- Potap — Kan Pilgu (Bass)
- Lukas — Kudaybergen Abildin (Tenor)
- Kichiga — Magnus Barlvinson (Bass)
- Paisy — Michael McCown (Tenor)

Dancers: Frankfurt Opera Orchestra & Chorus (Chorus conductor: Tilman Michael)
Conductor: Valentin Uryupin
Stage Director: Vasily Balkhatov
Art Director: Christian Schmidt
Costume Designer: Kirsten Defoff
Lighting Designer: Olaf Winter
Video Projection: Christian Borchards
Choreography: Garl Feferman
Dramaturgy: Jorlt Holpach
Video Director: Gutz Filenius

Co-produced by: Naxos & Frankfurt Opera
Recording date: December 30, 2022
Location: Frankfurt Opera House (Germany)
Running time: 203 minutes
Audio: Russian PCM Stereo 2.0 / DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (Blu-ray)
Subtitles: Japanese, English, German, French, Spanish, Korean
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 NTSC All Region

Blu-ray: Single-sided dual-layer disc, 1080i High Definition

【From Frankfurt Opera: A Hidden Masterpiece by Tchaikovsky in His Maturity — "Charodeyka" — A Vivid Love and Hatred Drama Performed by Asmik Grigorian!】

Near Nizhny Novgorod, a beautiful and intelligent widow named Nastasha (nickname Kuma) runs an inn. She is the object of admiration among local men (the title "Charodeyka" means "Enthralling Woman"). Today, many men gather at her inn, drinking, singing, and enjoying themselves.

The lord of Nizhny Novgorod, Prince Nikita, visits to inspect the inn and immediately falls in love with Kuma. He tries to seize her by force, but she fiercely rejects him. However, Mamirolov, a subordinate of Nikita, falsely reports to Princess Yefpraksiya, Nikita’s wife, that Kuma seduced Nikita. Suspecting her husband's infidelity, the princess is consumed by intense jealousy.

Furthermore, Yuri, Kuma’s son, who is straightforward and impulsive, learns from his mother that Kuma and his father are enemies, and, carrying a dagger, he storms into Kuma’s inn intending revenge.

"Charodeyka," the penultimate opera among the eleven (excluding revisions) completed by Tchaikovsky, was commissioned from the playwright Ippolit Shpazhinsky, who wrote the original play. Composed starting in 1885, it premiered in early winter 1887 at the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, conducted by Tchaikovsky himself.

This work, composed during the composer’s mature period prior to his Fifth Symphony (1888), ballet "The Sleeping Beauty" (1890), and the opera "The Queen of Spades" (1890), was initially criticized for its weak (redundant) dramaturgy at its premiere. The composer, undeterred, stated:
"...I am not despairing. This is an opera that must be accustomed to. Once the audience’s ears get used to it, it will eventually become part of the repertoire..." (Letter to Julia Shpazhinskaya dated November 9, 1887).

However, the 1890 Moscow premiere was not particularly successful, and although it was revived in Russia during the Soviet era in the mid-20th century, it has rarely been performed internationally and remains relatively obscure today.

In December 2022, the Frankfurt Opera presented a new production directed by Vasily Balkhatov, shifting the setting from 15th-century Muscovy to modern Russia. The production explores the love and hatred between men and women against the backdrop of the clash between traditional old-generation values and the liberal values of the new generation, centered around a captivating woman.

The performance features the exquisite lyricism, melancholy, and passion characteristic of Tchaikovsky’s music, brought vividly to life through compelling singing and acting by the leading soprano Asmik Grigorian. The antagonist Princess Yefpraksiya, who sings of dark passions, is portrayed by Claudia Maanke. The straightforward youth Yuri, torn between his parents and Kuma, is played by Aleksandr Mikhaylov. The ensemble from Frankfurt Opera delivers a passionate performance.

Valentin Uryupin, a rising Russian conductor known for his broad repertoire from Romantic to contemporary music, supports the cast with his sensitive baton. His dynamic direction, combined with Vasily Balkhatov’s distinctive staging, breathes new life into this work.