"Krokfer" and "Dragunet" again on February 3
News публикувана на: 26.01.2017
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State Opera Stara Zagora will present on 3 February, at 19.00, the two one-act operettas "Croquefer" and "Dragunet" by the French classic Jacques Offenbach.
"Although he was only 37 years old and had not yet gained much experience in composing, Offenbach wrote for the Bouffo Parisien Theatre in 1857 two one-act operettas-buffa "Dragoonette" and "Croquefer". Regardless of his age, experience and the form of the works, the character of his genius is on full display in these works. Their poignancy lives on to this day, and it is as if Offenbach, with a prophetic gift, has brought forward and shown future events and personalities in them." Slavcho Nikolov, director
The Bulgarian premiere of Croquefer and Dragunet took place on 16 December 2016 in Stara Zagora, and on 8 February 2017 the capital's citizens will have their first encounter with Jacques Offenbach's rarely performed works.
A young, talented and enthusiastic team created impressively aesthetic and fresh performances, carrying the extraordinary charge of bright artistic individuality and creative inspiration. The strong and proven in several productions already tandem Slavcho Nikolov /director/ and Romina Slavova /choreography and sculpture/ received powerful support from the designer GENDONI with his exquisite costumes and sophisticated decor. Costumes - with elaborate details and story in them. Décor - modern, stylish, non-fussy, extremely versatile. And beautiful. The creative team successfully created the look of both operettas in a modern and clever way. With humor. With measure. With command of the situation and the expressive tools of body and voice. Without overacting, without tasteless comedy in the artists. Very organic.
Both of Offenbach's one-act works have interesting plots and messages. In Dragunet, the theme is about the love between brother and sister, about the father's affection for his child and his split over service to the Fatherland, about the friendship between "brothers in arms" at the front. And in Crocker it is funny, hilarious, entertaining, playful. All the actors perform their roles with zest, portraying genuinely funny characters without shouting or exaggerated grimacing. Incredibly funny characters and a remarkable love couple amidst the battle set up by the feuding families of these Romeo and Juliet's in more recent times, which ironize the struggle between two world empires, Germany and France.
The most beautiful battle comes to life on stage - in the name of Love and Country, in the name of Life.
On February 8, the performances of "Dragunet" and "Krokfer" will feature soloists Milko Mikhailov, Alexander Baranov, Georgi Dinev, Neli Necheva, Evgeny Arabadzhiev, Plamen Asenov, Anita Shishkova-guest, Emilia Djurova, Teresa Brakalova, orchestra, choir and ballet of the State Opera-Stara Zagora. Dimitar Kosev will be the conductor.
The performances are dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the First World War and are realized with the kind support of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria.
The Stories:
DRUGUNET
During World War I, the 32nd Battalion of the French Army was under siege. The soldiers are cut off from the world and unable to contact the rest of the army for reinforcements. The many attempts to break through the blockade and the many individual soldiers' attempts to get across enemy lines prove unsuccessful. The battalion commander, in order not to lose any more men, forbids attempts to communicate with the rest of the army, and whoever does so will be charged with desertion, the most terrible sentence in war. Private Julien Lambert decides to secretly attempt to cross enemy lines. His absence is discovered that very evening and a deadline is set for 12.05 noon - if he does not return, he is to be declared a deserter.
Julien's twin sister, Dragoonette, served as a nurse in the same battalion. To disguise him, Dragunet disguises himself as his brother and impersonates him. One of the soldiers, Private Tityr, is suspicious and tries to uncover the deception. Although Senior Nurse Shabrak tries to distract him, Dragoonette in turn attempts to take the order from Sergeant Major Lambert. Dragoonette's attempts are unsuccessful and she is discovered. Her plan fails and Sergeant Lambert is forced to report Julien. His soldier's duty compels him to do so even though Dragunette and Julien are his adopted children. At the same moment Julien's flute is heard arriving with reinforcements and the 32nd Battalion is rescued.
CROCHFER
Two aristocratic families have been at war for many years. A war that neither of the two warring sides know about - what they are fighting it for and why. Despite having reached financial collapse, they continue this war. Crockfer, along with his orderly Butfoe, have kidnapped the daughter of their enemy Mus-a-mor. He comes to negotiate with them for her return, but egged on by his orienarian Crockfer refuses peace and continues with all-out war. Crockfer's nephew, Ramas-tet, arrives. Krokfer hopes that he will be his ally and together they will make peace, but it turns out that Ramas-ta-tet has come to continue the war. Ramas-ta-tet falls in love with Fleur-de-suffre the daughter of Mus-a-mor and the two decide to elope. Mus-a-mor's "army" attacks and Crocker, in his frustration, threatens to kill Fleur-de-suffre if she does not marry him and her father surrenders. She agrees, but when they raise a toast to the peace they have made, Fleur puts poison in Croepfer's cup. Butfo puts poison in Mus-a-mor's cup, but it turns out that the poison is not poison but a laxative. The battle between Crockfer and Mus-a-mor is fought by Ramas-tet as he asks that if Fleur-de-suffre wins - to marry him. She agrees and wins. Krokfer and Mus-a-mor only come to their senses after the battle and realize what has happened between them. The war is ended.