Prokofiev: Betrothal In A Monastery - Diadkova, Gassiev, Alexashkin, Kirov Opera & Orchestra, Mariinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg, Valery Gergiev / Philips 3x Audio CD 2006 / 475 7633

UPC 028947576334

Betrothal in a Monastery (Russian title Обручение в монастыре) is an opera in nine scenes (four acts) by Sergei Prokofiev to a Russian libretto by the composer and Mira Mendelson after Sheridan's The Duenna.

Prokofiev began the work in 1940, and it was in rehearsal that year, but World War II halted production of the opera. The composer revised the score in Almaty in 1943. The first performance did not occur until 3 November 1946 at the Kirov Theatre with Boris Khaikin conducting. The producer was I. Shlepianov.

Commentators have noted that, given the context of its creation in the 1940s in the Soviet Union, this opera lacks any particular political or social comment, except perhaps for a scene involving drunken monks.

Tracklist:

CD 1:   65:08

Act One; Act Two (start)  

CD 2:    57:07

Act Two (conclusion); Act Three  

CD 3:    30:36

Act Four

• Choir, Orchestra - Kirov Chorus and Orchestra, St Petersburg
• Chorus Master - Valery Borisov