Prokofiev: The Fiery Angel

Amazon.com essential recording
This is a piece in many ways better experienced with both the visual and aural aspects (and, in fact, there is a fine video of this production available from Philips), but the score is powerful on its own. Soprano Galina Gorchakova is dramatically and vocally astounding in the role of Renata, which she makes her own; Sergey Leiferkus, usually heard singing unidiomatic Italian or French roles in the West, is much more at home as the knight Ruprecht. The large supporting cast shows the merits of the Kirov's old ensemble system. In an amusing (and logical, if you think about it) touch, Prokofiev has made his Mephistopheles a grating character tenor (think Herod), and his scholarly Faust a bass. --Sarah Bryan Miller

Prokofiev: The Fiery Angel,Sergey Prokofiev,Valery Gergiev,St. Petersburhg Kirov Chorus and Orchestra,Galina Gorchakova,Evgenia Perlasova,Evgeny Boitsov,Evgeny Fedotov,Konstantin Pluzhnikov,Larissa Diadkova,Larissa Dyadkova,Mikhail Kit,Olga Markova-Mikhailenko,Sergei Leiferkus,Sergey Aleksashkin,Valery Lebed,Vladimir Galusin,Vladimir Ognovenko,Yuri Laptev,Polygram Records,Classical,Classical Music,Opera,Opera / Operetta / Oratorio,Russian 20th/21st Century Opera

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Average customer rating: A Horror Opera

Prokofiev: The Fiery Angel Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Prokofiev | Prokofiev, Sergei | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Prokofiev: Semyon Kotko Prokofiev: Chout Gambler Rachmaninov: Complete Operas (Aleko, The Miserly Knight, Francesca di Rimini) Prokofiev: Love for Three Oranges ASIN: B00099BPO2 Release Date: 2005-07-12

Customer Reviews:

A Horror Opera.......2005-09-16

The story of this opera is dated now, but when it was first written, it was a true horror story. I won't give the plot away, but it has its moments. Prokofiev was a very underrated composer, and this music is wonderful for the story. Even if you don't like opera, you may just find this one worth listening to.

Average customer rating: An eye-opening Prokofiev survey (try to buy it used)

Sergei Prokofiev, Enfant Terrible (1891-1953): A 50th Anniversary Celebration Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Cello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Cleveland Orchestra | ( C ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music National Philharmonic Orchestra London | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Russian National Orchestra | ( R ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Prokofiev | Prokofiev, Sergei | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music ASIN: B000084H93 Release Date: 2003-04-08

Customer Reviews:

An eye-opening Prokofiev survey (try to buy it used).......2006-03-26

I can't see paying full price for a two-CD compensdium, even one as lavish as this package, when all the itmes are samples for promoting Universal's catalog (expect a good representation by Ashkenazy, Rostropovich, Previn, and Gergiev). But the selection is good enough and often rare eough to warrant a buy if the price is low.

As I listened straight through, I was surprised at how unacquainted I actually was with the wide extent of Prokofiev's style. From the very early "Dreams," which could be mistaken for Glazunov through the unfamiliar operas (Betrothal in a Monastery Garden, Semyon Kotko) to the final, sadly diminished works like the Seventh Sym. and the cello concerto, the composer covered every major Russian style of the century. I didn't find any new masterful performances--not that a short excerpt is a good enough trial--but everything here is well performced. Any listener should find something unexpected and intriguing in this two-and-a-half-hour traversal.

Average customer rating:

Prokofiev: Symphony No. 1 "Classical"; Symphony No. 3 "The Fiery Angel" Serge Prokofiev , Riccardo Muti , and Philadelphia Orchestra Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Prokofiev | Prokofiev, Sergei | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Prokofiev: Symphony #5/The Meeting of The Volga and The Don ASIN: B00000E4V8 Release Date: 1993-01-19

Tracks:

1. Sym No.3 in c: Op.44: I. Moderato 'Fiery Angel'
2. Sym No.3 in c: Op.44: II. Andante 'Fiery Angel'
3. Sym No.3 in c: Op.44: III. Allegro agitato 'Fiery Angel'
4. Sym No.3 in c: Op.44: IV. Andante mosso 'Fiery Angel'
5. Sym No.1 in D: Op.25: I. Allegro 'Clas Sym'
6. Sym No.1 in D: Op.25: II. Larghetto 'Clas Sym'
7. Sym No.1 in D: Op.25: III. Gavotta (Non troppo allegro) 'Clas Sym'
8. Sym No.1 in D: Op.25: IV. Finale (Vivace) 'Clas Sym'

Average customer rating: this on DVD An Outstanding Performance this "fun" opera is a five star Phenomenal performance of a difficult opera A no holds barred performance

Prokofiev: The Fiery Angel Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Prokofiev | Prokofiev, Sergei | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Leiferkus, Sergei | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Prokofiev: Semyon Kotko Rimsky-Korsakov: The Tsar's Bride Prokofiev: Love for Three Oranges Modest Moussorgsky: Khovanshchina Pytor Il'ich Tchaikovsky: Pique Dame ASIN: B0000041BE Release Date: 1995-10-17

Tracks:

1. Opera In Five Acts And Seven Scenes, Op. 37: Act One: 'Zdes', gospodin rycar' (Ruprecht)
2. Opera In Five Acts And Seven Scenes, Op. 37: Act One: 'Da, on rassejalsja' (Renata, Ruprecht)
3. Opera In Five Acts And Seven Scenes, Op. 37: Act One: 'U vas vse vremja sum kakoj-to' (Renata, Ruprecht)
4. Opera In Five Acts And Seven Scenes, Op. 37: Act One: 'Ne dovol'no l'' (Renata, Ruprecht)
5. Opera In Five Acts And Seven Scenes, Op. 37: Act One: 'Sista... sista... sista...' (Renata, Ruprecht)
6. Opera In Five Acts And Seven Scenes, Op. 37: Act Two: '...iz trech magiceskich krugov' (Renata)
7. Opera In Five Acts And Seven Scenes, Op. 37: Act Two: 'A, Jakov Glok' (Renata, Ruprecht)
8. Opera In Five Acts And Seven Scenes, Op. 37: Act Two: 'Slysis li ty stuk?' (Renata, Ruprecht)
9. Opera In Five Acts And Seven Scenes, Op. 37: Act Two: 'Zaklinaju tebja' (Renata, Ruprecht)
10. Opera In Five Acts And Seven Scenes, Op. 37: Act Two: 'Tam net nikogo' (Renata, Ruprecht)
11. Opera In Five Acts And Seven Scenes, Op. 37: Act Two: - Entr'acte -
12. Opera In Five Acts And Seven Scenes, Op. 37: Act Two: 'Magister doctissime' (Ruprecht)

Tracks:

1. Opera In Five Acts And Seven Scenes, Op. 37: Act Three: 'Genrich, vernis', vernis', vernis'!' (Renata)
2. Opera In Five Acts And Seven Scenes, Op. 37: Act Three: 'Ubej ego, Ruprecht!' (Ruprecht, Renata)
3. Opera In Five Acts And Seven Scenes, Op. 37: Act Three: 'Renata, perestan' ze plakat'' (Ruprecht, Renata)
4. Opera In Five Acts And Seven Scenes, Op. 37: Act Three: - Entr'acte -
5. Opera In Five Acts And Seven Scenes, Op. 37: Act Three: 'Milostivaja dama, on opasno ranen' (Renata)
6. Opera In Five Acts And Seven Scenes, Op. 37: Act Four: 'Renata, molju tebja...' (Ruprecht, Renata)
7. Opera In Five Acts And Seven Scenes, Op. 37: Act Four: 'Baraniny! Vina i baraniny!' (Renata)
8. Opera In Five Acts And Seven Scenes, Op. 37: Act Four: 'Ach, negodjaj!' (Ruprecht)
9. Opera In Five Acts And Seven Scenes, Op. 37: Act Five: 'Sestra Renata' (Renata)
10. Opera In Five Acts And Seven Scenes, Op. 37: Act Five: 'Vozljublennye brat'ja i sestry'
11. Opera In Five Acts And Seven Scenes, Op. 37: Act Five: 'A...!' (Renata)
12. Opera In Five Acts And Seven Scenes, Op. 37: Act Five: 'Duch lukavyi'
13. Opera In Five Acts And Seven Scenes, Op. 37: Act Five: 'Sestry! Sestry! Sestry! A!' (Renata)

Amazon.com essential recording

This is a piece in many ways better experienced with both the visual and aural aspects (and, in fact, there is a fine video of this production available from Philips), but the score is powerful on its own. Soprano Galina Gorchakova is dramatically and vocally astounding in the role of Renata, which she makes her own; Sergey Leiferkus, usually heard singing unidiomatic Italian or French roles in the West, is much more at home as the knight Ruprecht. The large supporting cast shows the merits of the Kirov's old ensemble system. In an amusing (and logical, if you think about it) touch, Prokofiev has made his Mephistopheles a grating character tenor (think Herod), and his scholarly Faust a bass. --Sarah Bryan Miller

Customer Reviews:

this on DVD .......2006-01-21

this opera is available on DVD and i own that piece. So I cannot tell to much about this recording. Sound is terrific. Compelling stuff.

An Outstanding Performance.......2003-05-29

The Fiery Angel is a presents some difficulties in the performance and tends to turn-off people with its bizarre plot. The story concerns Renata, who was visited by an angel named Madiel from the age of 8, and who taught her how to lead a life of purity. He appeared to her wearing a white gown and bathed in light. However, Renata fell in love with the angel and desired a more carnal relationship. At this suggestion, Madiel was enraged and becomes enraged. Before disappearing in a ball of flame, Madiel promises to return in human form. Thereafter, Renata searched for the angel and believed she found him in Count Heinrich. With him, she has a
passionate relationship but he disappeared leaving her searching for him and having terrifying visions. Ruprecht falls in love with Renata and becomes her protector.

The story is one of occult interest with the heroine (or perhaps
anti-heroine) Renata being possessed by the angel Madiel and, in turn, attempts to posses the knight Ruprecht. While one is sympathetic toward Renata because of the constant visions that torture her we can sense her manipulative power as she provokes Ruprecht in an attempt to kill Count Heinrich, whom she suspects is Madiel returned to earth in a different form.

Prokofiev based The Fiery Angel on a novel by Valery Bryusov, published in 1907, that he discovered in America in 1919. He began the opera in 1920 but the work did not go smoothly and it was not completed until 1927, and revised it later in attempts to have it performed (it was not performed until 1955). Eventually, the music found its way into the Third Symphony
in 1928. The action of the opera is episodic than flowing. The scene with Faust and Mephistopheles is gratutitous and does not advance the story but does have occult interest. Also, in the last act of the opera, Ruprecht only observes as Renata is condemned to death, taking no part in defending the woman he loves. The opera has been described as being more a symphony in the guise of an opera. For me, despite the shortcomings of this opera, it is a remarkable work that has some powerful moments.

The occult subject matter and the difficulty of the role of Renata consigned the opera to oblivion until recently. This recording of The Fiery Angel is from a landmark production by the Mariinsky Theater in 1993 and won the Gramophone award for best opera. This is a live recording but the audience is quiet, and stage noise is minimal. Galina Gorchakova is perfect as Renata and conveys her vulnerability and torment. Sergei Leiferkus is excellent as Ruprecht, and the remaining cast members give wonderful performances with Vladimir Ognovenko being particularly sinister as the Inquisitor. Most of all, Valery Gergiev deserves praise for his peerless conducting of this opera and proving that The Fiery Angel is among Prokofiev's masterpieces.

this "fun" opera is a five star.......2002-02-17

If you like modernistic music and odd stories THIS opera is for you.

Gergiev is, as always, great with his native russians and this is a kind of avant garde opera but in a differnt manner than Bergs "Wozzeck"... still a bit "avant garde" because of the modernistic "machine symphonie" music mood in this.

The music is fantastic and the singinging is... hmm... a bit "special", but the charachters sing this grim opera with great voices even if it is a bit hysterical (that it should be).

A must have for Prokofiev fans and highly recommended to other lovers of a kind of mordern, contempery opera too.

Phenomenal performance of a difficult opera.......2001-10-27

Anyone who doubts the vocal or dramatic talents of Russian soprano Galina Gorchakova need only listen to her performance here as Renata to understand her success. It is perhaps the most difficult opera role ever--the sheer volume of music for her is astounding. But Gorchakova is, vocally and dramatically, perfect for the role, and her (live) performance recorded here can only be described as spectacular. Her histrionic mad scene in the beginning (actually the whole opera can be considered one big mad scene) is truly chilling. Her compatriots are also phenomenal, and Gergiev's conducting is brilliant. The Kirov transforms this difficult opera into something truly fascinating and, sometimes, genuinely terrifying. My only regret is that the video of this performance seems to have gone out of print. I wish they would re-release it, or, better still, release it on DVD.

A no holds barred performance.......2000-07-29

If you're a Prokofiev fan or a fan of 20th century music you owe it to yourself to experience this opera. It's not for the faint-hearted, with its story of demons and and Satanic posession- and music to match; And this performance does not hold back, it unleashes the full power of one of Prokofiev's most exciting and terrifying scores. I highly recommend it.

Average customer rating:

Prokofiev: The Fiery Angel Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music All Works by Prokofiev | Prokofiev, Sergei | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music ASIN: B00000E4RH Release Date: 1991-11-08

Average customer rating:

Leyla Gencer, Vol.3 Manufacturer: Myto Records Italy ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Prokofiev | Prokofiev, Sergei | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Gencer, Leyla | ( G ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Massenet, Jules | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Vocal Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Leyla Gencer, Vol. 2 ASIN: B000006NZ7 Release Date: 2000-09-09

Tracks:

1. Schwanda, Il Suonatore Di Cornamusa: Chi Parla Qui?
2. Schwanda, Il Suonatore Di Cornamusa: Schwanda!...Aspro Quel Cammino
3. Schwanda, Il Suonatore Di Cornamusa: Iniquo Al Rito, Infedele Sei
4. Schwanda, Il Suonatore Di Cornamusa: In Questo Paese
5. Simon Boccanegra: Come In Quest'ora Bruna,
6. Simon Boccanegra: Vieni A Mirar La Cerula
7. Simon Boccanegra: Orfanella Il Tetto Umile
8. Simon Boccanegra: Figlia!...A Tal Nome Io Palpito
9. Simon Boccanegra: Nell'ora Soave
10. Simon Boccanegra: Plebe! Patrizi! Popolo
11. Simon Boccanegra: Tu Qui?...Amelia!
12. Simon Boccanegra: Parla, in Tuo Cor Virgineo
13. Werther: Va...Non E Mal Se Piango,
14. Werther: Ah! Che Il Coraggio Mi Abbandona!
15. La Battaglia Di Legnano: Voi Io Diceste,
16. La Battaglia Di Legnano: Quante Volte Come Un Dono
17. La Battaglia Di Legnano: Che, Signor! Tu Qui?
18. La Battaglia Di Legnano: A Frenarti, O Cor, Nel Petto
19. La Battaglia Di Legnano: Deus Meus, Pone Illos
20. L'Angelo Di Fuoco: Lasciami, Lasciami

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6. Richard Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen [Box set]
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