Opera in two parts Music by Prokofiev
Libretto by the composer and M. MENDELSON-PROKOFIEVA after TOLSTOY
Sung in the English translation by EDWARD DOWNES direct from the London Coliseum
Prokofiev's War and Peace was written during the Nazi invasion of Russia in the Second World War. The experiences of those years, combined with the inspiration of Tolstoy's epic novel. gave rise to an opera in episodic form which contains some of Prokofiev's finest music.
Other parts sung by members Of SADLER'S WELLS OPERA
SADLER'S WELLS OPERA CHORUS chorus-master HAZEL VIVIENNE SADLER'S WELLS OPERA ORCHESTRA leader BARRY COLLINS conducted by DAVID LLOYD-JONES Producer COLIN GRAHAM Part 1
8.20*. The Making of the Opera EDWARD DOWNES , the conductor, in whose translation the work is being sung tonight, dircusses the music and Prokofiev's troubles over its composition, with JEREMY NOBLE .
8.35* Tolstoy and Opera: a selection from Tolstoy's writings on opera and operatic production.
Compiled by MARTIN MCBIRNEY Producers DENYS HAWTHORNE and BRIAN BARFIELD (from N Ireland)
8.55* War and Peace: Part 2