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The Love for Three Oranges (Любовь к трем апельсинам in Russian, Lyubov k Tryom Apelsinam in transliteration) is an opera by Sergei Prokofiev to a libretto based on the play L'amore delle tre melarance by Carlo Gozzi. It was composed in 1919,and was first performed on December 30, 1921, at the Chicago Opera, with the composer himself conducting.
The absurd story is in the Commedia dell'Arte tradition, and concerns a young prince, cursed by a wicked witch and forced to voyage into distant lands in search of three oranges each of which contains a princess. The libretto was by Prokofiev and Vera Janacopoulos, based on Vsevolod Meyerhold's adaptation of Gozzi's play. The adaptation modernized some of the Commedia dell'Arte influences and also introduced a healthy dose of Surrealism. At its premiere, the opera was sung in French as L'Amour des Trois Oranges.
The most famous piece from the Prokofiev opera is the "March". It is a popular orchestral selection, and was used by CBS in the series The FBI in Peace and War that was broadcast 1944-1958.
The play is based on a folk story known as L’amour des triosoranges. It has been given the "AT-number" 408 in the Aarne-Thompson classification system.
Opera
Roles
The opera features an array of whimsical characters, including:
- The Prince (tenor): the hero. In the first act he is dying of incurable hypochondria. After being cursed by Fata Morgana, he must go on a quest to rescue the three oranges from the evil chef Creonte, with the help of Trufaldino.
- King of Clubs (bass): the father of the Prince. Compare with the Queen of Hearts in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
- Truffaldino (tenor): the Prince's somewhat unreliable sidekick. Based on the Commedia dell'Arte character Arlecchino.
- Tchelio (bass): a bumbling wizard and protector of the Prince.
- Fata Morgana (soprano): the evil, somewhat bumbling witch who curses the Prince. There is an optical phenomenon of the same name. Ultimately the name derives from Morgan le Fay.
- Leandre (bass-baritone), Clarissa (mezzo), and Smeraldina (mezzo): plotters against the King and Prince, allies of Fata Morgana.
- Farfarello (baritone): antagonizing wind demon. Name is from the Italian for demon.
- Creonte (bass): the evil chef who has imprisoned the three oranges and threatens the Prince and Truffaldino with a giant ladle.
- Ninetta (soprano): the princess of the orange.
- Linetta (mezzo) and Nicoletta (soprano): ill-fated orange princesses.
- A chorus of "Ridiculous People" representing the audience of the play and also involved in the action of the play at times. Compare to the prologue of Pagliacci or of Faust Part 1.
Recordings
| Orchestra |
Choir |
Conductor |
Record Company |
Year of Recording |
Format |
| Lyon Opera Orchestra |
Lyon Opera Chorus |
Kent Nagano |
Virgin Classics |
1989 |
CD |
| Lyon Opera Orchestra |
Lyon Opera Chorus |
Kent Nagano |
Arthaus Musik |
1989 |
DVD |
| Kirov Theater Orchestra |
Kirov Theater Chorus |
Valery Gergiev |
Philips |
2001 |
CD |
| Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra |
Opera Australia Chorus |
Richard Hickox |
Chandos Records |
2005 |
CD |
| Moscow Radio Orchestra |
Moscow Radio Choir |
D.Dalgat |
Period (Thrift Edition) |
1950? |
LP |
Suite from The Love for Three Oranges, Op. 33bis
Prokofiev compiled an orchestral suite from the opera for concert use. The suite lasts for 15-20 minutes, and is in 6 movements:
- Ridiculous Fellows
- Magician Celio and Fata Morgana Play Cards (Infernal Scene)
- March
- Scherzo
- The Prince and the Princess
- Flight
Recordings
| Orchestra |
Conductor |
Record Company |
Year of Recording |
Format |
| National Symphony Orchestra |
Leonard Slatkin |
RCA Victor (BMG Classics) |
1998 |
CD |
| ORTF National Orchestra |
Lorin Maazel |
Sony Classical |
1991 |
CD |
March and Scherzo from The Love for Three Oranges
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