Siberia

Opera in three acts by Umberto Giordano. Libretto by Luigi Illica. There is no direct source for the plot of Siberia and it is quite possible that this is an original work by Illica. It was suggested at the New York premiere that was based on Leo Tolstoy's Resurrection (novel) or one of the novels within it. Première: 19 December 1903, Teatro alla Scala, Milan, revised in 1927. The première was not successful, despite having an illustrious first-... more

Opera in three acts by Umberto Giordano. Libretto by Luigi Illica. There is no direct source for the plot of Siberia and it is quite possible that this is an original work by Illica. It was suggested at the New York premiere that was based on Leo Tolstoy's Resurrection (novel) or one of the novels within it. Première: 19 December 1903, Teatro alla Scala, Milan, revised in 1927. The première was not successful, despite having an illustrious first-night cast (Puccini's Madama Butterfly had been cancelled and Siberia took the same vocal distribution so the singers were re-engaged for Giordano's opera), it received more praise in its opening in Genoa and then in Paris in May 1905. It was premièred in the USA, in New York City at the Manhattan Opera on 5 February 1908. The opera is set in Russia during the first half of the 19th century. Saint Petersburg, August, during the Festival of Saint Alexander. Stephana is the mistress of Prince Alexis, living in an elegant Palace, who was once... less