Iolanta

by Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky (1840 - 1893). Lyric opera in one act. 1891. Libretto by Modest Il'yich Tchaikovsky, after the play Kong Renés Datter (King René's Daughter) by Henrik Hertz. First performance at the Malïy Theatre, St Petersburg, on 18th December 1892.

Iolanta is picking fruit with her friends. She does not know that she is different from anyone else, although she is blind. Her nurse and her friends lull her to sleep. The physician Ibn-Hakia insists to the King that no cure is possible unless she is told she is blind and herself wants a cure. Her father will not accept this. Robert, Duke of Burgundy, who is to marry Iolanta, but loves another, comes upon the girl sleeping in the garden. He leaves, while his companion Vaudémont falls in love with Iolanta, to whom he explains the glories of light. The King and Ibn-Hakia return, the former angry that Iolanta now understands her condition, while the doctor sees now some hope for her, particularly when she is determined to regain her sight in order to save Vaudémont from the death that King René has otherwise threatened him. In the end Iolanta recovers her sight and is united with Vaudémont, while Robert is released from his engagement to her.

Iolanta was commissioned with the ballet Nutcracker. Stories of medieval knights and ladies did not touch his heart, Tchaikovsky later admitted. The opera was well enough received by the public, but severely criticized in the press, while Rimsky-Korsakov thought it one of Tchaikovsky's weakest works, embittered, perhaps, by the recent lack of success of his own opera Mlada , which had received far less official support. Vocal excerpts that may appear in recitals include the Duke of Burgundy's Who can compare with my Mathilde? and the love duet between Iolanta and Vaudémont, as well as Iolanta's arioso as the work opens.