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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