A debut in Sergei Prokofiev’s opera Betrothal in a Monastery

Scene from the opera Betrothal in a Monastery

Betrothal in a Monastery was the first lyrical comic opera in the history of Russian musical theatre. When Sergei Prokofiev came across Sheridan’s play The Duenna, which forms the basis of the opera’s libretto, he compared it to champagne. The stage director Vladislav Pazi created a light, witty and enchanting production in the style of a “delicious fantasy on Spanish motifs” which international critics proclaimed a complete and perfect hit.

Throughout its long – in theatre terms – stage life the production (premiered in 1996) has witnessed the emergence of such brilliant and vivid Mariinsky Theatre stars as Larisa Diadkova (the Duenna), Anna Netrebko (Louisa) and Nikolai Gassiev (Don Jerome).

On 11 December the production will see Mariinsky Academy of Young Singers soloist Dmitry Voropaev performing the role of Don Antonio, whose love overcomes every obstacle on the path to happiness. Also making debuts that day will be Nikolai Kamensky as Father Benedictine and Oleg Losev as Lopez.