Julia Muzychenko (Oksana), Enkelejda Shkoza (Solokha), Andrei Popov (Devil), Georgy Vasiliev (Vakula), Alexey Tikhomirov (Chub), Chor der Oper Frankfurt, Frankfurter Opern-Und Museumsorchester, Sebastian Weigle
Rimsky-Korsakov’s Christmas Eve, based on a short story by Gogol, centres on the love of the blacksmith Vakula for the rich farmer’s daughter Oksana, who mockingly requires him to obtain for her the Tsarina’s shoes in order to win her hand in marriage. However, evil spirits are on the rampage imperilling their love – a witch on her broomstick gathers the stars and the devil steals the moon. Rimsky-Korsakov blends Christian and pagan elements, Ukrainian folk songs and carols, and atmospheric orchestral interludes in this vivacious and fantastical village romance. This is the disc version of the audiovisual release on 2.110738 and NBD0154V: ‘Sebastian Weigle leads the excellent Frankfurt orchestra and chorus in a spellbinding account of Rimsky-Korsakov’s score’, wrote MusicWeb International. It also won the German Record Critics Award for Quarterly Critics Choice and was a Musicweb International ‘Recommended’ release.
International Opera Awards
2023
Nominated - Recording (Complete Opera)
January 2024
Some will doubtless be glad to enjoy Rimsky’s ravishing score without Loy’s visuals... It’s also hugely enjoyable in its own right, throwing a particular spotlight on Sebastian Weigle’s affectionate, alert conducting.
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