SILVA
TOUR of
The Karaganda Academic Theatre of Musical Comedy
Imre Kálmán
SIlva
Operetta in 2 acts
Performed in Russian
Libretto by L. Stein, B. Jenbach
The premiere of the performance took place on 6 June 2005
PRODUCTION TEAM:
Director: Yuri ALEXANDROV, People's Artist of Russia, Laureate of the State Prize of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Russia, St. Petersburg)
Conductor, Music Director: Sergei FERULEV, Honoured Art Worker of the Russian Federation (Russia, Chelyabinsk)
Choreographer: Marina LEPILINA (Russia, Moscow)
Set and Costume Designer: Vyacheslav OKUNEV, People's Artist of Russia, Laureate of the State Prize of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Russia, St. Petersburg)
Chorus Master: Tatiana SHTYKOVA, Holder of the Order of Kurmet
HISTORICAL NOTE
The operetta of the Hungarian composer I. Kálmán was written in 1915. It premiered in Vienna at the Johann Strauß-Theater on 17 November 1915. In addition to the title The Csárdás Queen, there is also a literal translation – The Csárdás Princess. The first production of the operetta in Russia took place at the height of the war with Germany (1916), therefore both the title of the operetta and many of the names of the characters were altered. Since then, in the Soviet Union and Russia, most of the performances have been and are going under the title Silva. Russian lyrics by V.S.Mikhailov and D.G. Tolmachev.
SYNOPSYS
Budapest. On stage and behind the scenes of the music hall. Before leaving on tour, the audience's favourite Silva performs here. The aristocrat officer Edwin, who is in love with her, begs her not to leave. She believes that their marriage is impossible. Then Prince Edwin writes a commitment that in eight weeks he will marry Silva. After Edwin leaves for the regiment, Silva learns that he is betrothed to Countess Stasi. Ballroom in the mansion of Prince Volapyuk, Vienna. On the day of the announcement of the engagement of Edwin and Stasi, Count Boni Káncsiánu – Edwin's friend – presents Silva in Volapyuk's salon as his wife, an aristocrat. The deception is soon revealed. Lovers quarrel. Hotel lobby. Silva decides to leave the stage. For the sake of love for Stasi, Boni seeks to arrange a meeting between Edwin and Silva. Having met again, the lovers are unable to contain their feelings. They decide to join their fates.