Dmytro Bortniansky’s "Creonte" Returned to Humanity
Dmytro Bortniansky’s "Creonte" Returned to Humanity
The project "Returning to the World of Dmytro Bortniansky’s First Opera "Creonte", created by Kyiv Classic Artistic Director Herman Makarenko, has reached a truly grand continuation.
This time, something remarkable has been achieved – the staging of Dmytro Bortniansky’s first opera "Creonte" on the stage of the Olha Kobylianska Chernivtsi Academic Regional Ukrainian Music and Drama Theatre. The opera, considered lost to humanity for nearly 250 years, has been reborn.
Why Chernivtsi? Because this city is home to a unique theatre whose architectural design and acoustic qualities are strikingly similar to those of Venice’s San Benedetto Theatre, where “Creonte” premiered in 1776.
The project "Returning to the World of Dmytro Bortniansky’s First Opera "Creonte", created by Kyiv Classic Artistic Director Herman Makarenko, has reached a truly grand continuation.
This time, something remarkable has been achieved – the staging of Dmytro Bortniansky’s first opera "Creonte" on the stage of the Olha Kobylianska Chernivtsi Academic Regional Ukrainian Music and Drama Theatre. The opera, considered lost to humanity for nearly 250 years, has been reborn.
Why Chernivtsi? Because this city is home to a unique theatre whose architectural design and acoustic qualities are strikingly similar to those of Venice’s San Benedetto Theatre, where “Creonte” premiered in 1776.
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“We have walked a long and challenging path – from the study of the handwritten manuscript discovered in the archives of the Royal Ajuda Library in 2023 to today’s full-scale theatrical production”, says Maestro Makarenko.
“It was a unique challenge for me as conductor and stage director – to interpret and adapt Bortniansky’s score for modern performance. Nevertheless, in the end, the music written nearly 250 years ago has come to life again within the "walls of gold and velvet"! This is truly a tremendous achievement – both for me personally as the author of the project "Returning to the World of Dmytro Bortniansky’s First Opera "Creonte" and for all of Ukraine, because a musical masterpiece by our compatriot has been returned to humanity – and will never again face oblivion.”
“It was a unique challenge for me as conductor and stage director – to interpret and adapt Bortniansky’s score for modern performance. Nevertheless, in the end, the music written nearly 250 years ago has come to life again within the "walls of gold and velvet"! This is truly a tremendous achievement – both for me personally as the author of the project "Returning to the World of Dmytro Bortniansky’s First Opera "Creonte" and for all of Ukraine, because a musical masterpiece by our compatriot has been returned to humanity – and will never again face oblivion.”
The world premiere of the staged production took place on 3 October under the patronage of UNESCO and Europa Nostra. An extraordinary team of directors and performers from Chernivtsi, Lviv, and Kyiv accomplished what once seemed impossible, guided by the artistic leadership of our Maestro Herman Makarenko.
The audience was thrilled and would not let the performers leave the stage – until the theatre staff finally brought down the curtain.
Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!
To all participants, to the project’s co-organizer – the ECOHYNTOX team led by Professor Mykola Prodanchuk – and to all partners, patrons, and sponsors!
The audience was thrilled and would not let the performers leave the stage – until the theatre staff finally brought down the curtain.
Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!
To all participants, to the project’s co-organizer – the ECOHYNTOX team led by Professor Mykola Prodanchuk – and to all partners, patrons, and sponsors!