Tigran Chakhadjian's "Arshak II" was composed in
1868. The first Armenian opera didn't receive it's world premiere until the
current San Francisco Opera production opened September 8, 2001. It's an intriguing
work that delves into the human psyche, exploring love, lust, and the quest
for total power in much the same way as Shakespeare's "Richard III,"
but with much less thematic and dramatic development.
It's general celebration as Arshak returns victorious from war with the Persians.
He's carried in triumphantly on a platform with banners. The brightly colored
costumes lend a festive air, and black robed monks holding orthodox crosses
pray for peace. The single set is a mighty stone edifice that's moved around
to various positions on the stage, and together with occasional mountain ranges
on the backdrop capture the flavor of what I imagine Armenia to be, at least
in the 4th century when this takes place.
Arshak has secretly killed his father, King Daran, and banished
his brother Knell. At one time he had loved Paransema, but when she married
his brother he married Olimpia. Paransema now begs Arshak to let Knell return.
In a beautifully sweet aria she offers him flowers and scatters petals at is
feet. He grabs her and his soldiers carry her away for him.
Knell has returned, and is hiding among the rocks when soldiers approach. It's
his old friend Valinace, commander of the Armenian Army, and they swear vengeance
on Arshak. Valinace goes to Olimpia and tells her Arshak is going to replace
her as Queen with Paransema, falls at her feet professing his love for her,
then pleads with her to take her son and flee. The son tries to drag her away,
but she hesitates, is captured, and taken to the tower. When Arshak bursts in
with his soldiers, the priest Nerses warns him against revenge and predicts
his downfall. Paransema enters distraught with the mortally wounded Knell. They
sing a liltingly sweet death duet and are alternately joined by Arshak and Olimpia.
Nerses' rolling bass laments "O Night of Horror" as the others join
in. Knell curses Arshak and dies. Arshak gives Paransema a ghastly embrace as
she kneels over her fallen husband.
Arshak broods over his crown that's adorned with shining
jewels like a thousand drops of blood. He's killed his father and brother, broken
Olimpia's heart, and made Paransema his bride. He longs for Olimpia again. Paransema
overhears him in the background and she goes to the tower and kills Olimpia's
son to keep him from becoming king. Olimpia's lowered in a cage from the ceiling.
Veiled women in white carry the white covered body in and set it on the stage.
Olimpia sings a tragic aria and falls flat on the floor.
Steam roils from the floor, thunder and lightning shake the walls, and an amplified
offstage chorus of "Tremble cowards, death draws near" terrifies Arshak
and Paransema in the graveyard. Their victims parade before them and the ghosts
are given a little reverb to create a ghastly supernatural scene. Paransema
says she will follow him hurtling toward damnation. Arshak says all Armenia
mourns as he calls the Angels of Death. He throws her off, and they leave in
different directions.
Olimpia's cage is lowered again. She dreams of happy times
and dancers do a beautiful little ballet under the cage. The happy vision fades
and she's freed by Nerses to be Queen again. She lies crying at the front of
the stage. Arshak pleads for her forgiveness and the crowd asks "What mystery
is this? Arshak has humbled himself."
The general assembly celebrates Olimpia's crowning. There's an extended ballet
that combines elements of classical and folk dance with lifts, kicks, splits,
and rolls. There's a celebration of wine and they drink and make merry. Paransema
appears and plots her revenge of Knell's death with the poisoned wine. She recounts
her happiness and then Arshak's crimes against her. She drinks some of the wine
and gives some to Olimpia. As they start to die from the poison, Arshak embraces
Olimpia and Paransema stabs him.
"Arshak II" is Tigran Chukhadjian's first opera and it shows in many
ways. At times it seems more like a series of vignettes, rather than the high
drama that the subject lends itself to. The characters are well developed and
it fits together reasonably well, but at times the overall development of both
the characters and action lack definition. Overall, though, it's a very entertaining
show and the music is absolutely gorgeous. Loris Tjeknavorian conducted this
world premiere of "Arshak II" at the San Francisco Opera.
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