Rautavaara: Rasputin Opera In Three Acts (Widescreen)

RASPUTIN (OPER IN 3 AKTEN

The Finnish classical composer Einojuhani Rautavaara (b. 1928) crafted his three-act opera Rasputin on the life and times of the turn-of-the-century title figure. Possibly via hypnosis, Grigori Rasputin - the notorious "Mad Monk" - sociopathically manipulated the Romanovs into believing in his ability to heal the child Tsarevich Alexei from hemophilia. Later, he ultimately conned his way into tremendous political influence, which he wielded over the child's mother, Tsarina Alexandra, and her husband, Tsar Nicholas II, prior to a shadowy assassination. Rautavaara's libretto and score bring Rasputin's weird story to full-blown, visceral life. The 2005 production of the work, staged by The Finnish National Opera, with musical accompaniment byThe Finnish National Opera Chorus and Orchestra, stars Matti Salminen in the title role, alongside Lilli Paasikivi as Tsarina Alexandra Fyordorovna and Jorma Hynninen as Tsar Nicholas II. Vilppu Kiljunen handles the stage direction. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi.

Performer	Matti Salminen, Lilli Paasikivi, Jorma Hynninen
Music genre	Classical
Music subgenre	Opera
Original release date	2012-01-30
Language	Finnish
Has parental advisory label	N
Number of discs	1
Record label	Naxos
Composer	Einojuhani Rautavaara
Character	Rasputin
Music media format	CD