Dramatic functions of the chorus in opera Alexander Tchaikovsky “Ermak”

Abstract

The premise for writing the article was the premiere of the opera “Ermak” by Alexander Tchaikovsky, which took place at the Krasnoyarsk Opera and Ballet Theater in 2019. The purpose of the study is to analyze the popular scenes and choral episodes of the opera and to identify their role in the dramaturgy of the composition. According to the author, the chorus in the opera of the Moscow master is presented in a diverse, bright, multifaceted way, its participation is always justified by the definitely expressed requirements of the plot, the program of stage action. The article examines in detail the choral scenes of the opera from the point of view of content, figurative structure and musical language. In addition, the author focuses on such issues as thematism, the principles of its development, thematic connections, harmony, harmony, structure, techniques of choral writing. The results of the study show that the chorus in the opera of the Moscow master is presented in a diverse, bright, multifaceted way. His participation is always justified by the explicit requirements of the plot, the program of the stage action. Drawing attention to this topic, which has not yet received coverage in the literature, will help to understand the original trends in the development of modern opera art and fill one of the gaps in Russian musicology about the composer’s work.