"War and Peace" at the Kennedy Center

Tonight saw "War and Peace," a massive, lavish historical epic based on the novel by Leo Tolstoy. This was staged at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, by the Mariinsky Orchestra and Opera, from St. Petersburg (formerly Leningrad), Russia. They staged 13 scenes in two acts, under the baton of Director Valery Gergiev. This was a major undertaking for the Kennedy Center, almost like staging an entire Russian festival.

The Russian composter Sergei Prokofiev returned to the Soviet Union in the late 1930's - after a career in the US and Europe - and was pressured by Soviet authorities to write this opera, in the 1940's. But it's pretty good - lyrical, massive in scope, and basically pleasing to listen to. The story is a hodge-podge of romantic story-lines, family soap-operas, wealth & poverty/class issues, and of course, the war with Napoleon. At the time it was performed, it resonated with Soviet citizens who faced the invasion of Nazi Germany.

I attended a lecture earlier in the day which gave basic background on the composer and circumstances of the opera's development. We discussed the plot lines of the first and second half, character development, and the nature of the melodic themes.

The first half was all romance, betrayal, lust, etc. - several story lines based on the lives of four major families. Many characters from the book were developed, but others left untouched. Nice solo vocal performances, and duets between lovers. The scenery was massive - a large parquet floor which rotated like a giant Lazy Susan. Palaces were delineated by drop-down glowing columns, and dachas or country houses were denoted by cabinet door-ways or tiled fireplaces. An article in the Washington Post discussed the challenge of moving the scenery across the Atlantic Ocean in container ships - all for two performances in Washington, DC.

The second half is like a different opera - following the male characters as they enter the Russian Army and fight Napoleon's French invasion force. The Russians have nice green/red uniforms, and the regulars are backed by a large peasant force. The volunteers seem endless which - in addition to the harsh winter - basically wears down Napoleon's forces. However, at a certain point the Russian Army and citizens of Moscow are forced to abandon the city. There are interesting scenes where citizens living in the sewers and tunnels are flushed-out by the French army, and harassed by soldiers. There is also a great effect of the city burning in the distance, and flakes of ash coming down on the stage. (In several snow-storm scenes, there are very realistic flakes of snow coming down outside the dacha or palace in the foreground).

Ball scenes are impressive, with sharply-dressed military officers, beautiful gowns of cream, rose and gold, sparkling with crystals and diamond jewelry. The peasants wear muslin tunics, or scarves and heavy skirts. Nice detail, as is typical with Russian ballet and opera - even down to the wigs! A peasant moving with the Russian Army carried a tree-trunk around, apparently as his weapon of choice. Basically, very good detail, historically accurate, and interesting - despite its length (three and one-quarter hours, plus a 45-minute intermission). Saw several people I knew at the performance, as well as journalist Chris Matthews, and lots of older Washingtonians and Russo-philes! Well worth the time and money.