Paraphrase on Iolanta (2 flutes and piano)

The last of his eleven operas, "Iolanta" was created less than a year before the death of Pyotr Tchaikovsky. In December 1892, an exceptional evening took place at the Mariinski Theater: the double creation of "Iolanta", an opera in one act, and the ballet "The Nutcracker", still considered today as the second most performed ballet in the world after "Swan Lake", composed sixteen years earlier.

It was during a performance in Moscow of a play entitled "Kong Renés Datter" ("King René's Daughter") at which Tchaikovsky was present that he came up with the idea of ​​composing an opera on the same argument. He thus commissioned his younger brother, Modeste, to produce a libretto for a future opera based on this work by the Danish playwright Henrik Hertz.

The opera is Inspired by figures from French History. With its strong psychological appeal, it features Yolande d'Anjou who has been blind since birth. Her father, King René, keeps her ignorant of her handicap so as not to compromise her future marriage with Duke Robert de Bourgogne.

The flute is given a special role in the orchestral treatment of the work. In opposition to the bassoon symbolizing the abyss of a world without sight or light, the flute embodies the character of Iolanta, her youth and her femininity, as well as the imaginary world in which she takes refuge. While the love she has for the knight Vaudémont and the fear of losing him overcome the illness, Tchaikovsky breaks with the tradition of a tragic ending and offers his heroine the realization of her fairy tale.

In this new fantasy for two flutes and piano, the third dedicated to the Russian master ("Paraphrase on Eugen Onegin", 2022, ed. Klarthe; "Paraphrase on Mazeppa", 2023, RLF Editions), the public as much as the performers will enjoy discovering the most romantic arias of an opera which, during that unforgettable evening in 1892, eclipsed the famous Nutcracker with its beauty.

Port-Sainte-Foy-et-Ponchapt, le 25 août 2024

Laëtitia Brault

Composers : Jean-Christophe Maltot / Piotr Tchaikovsky

Duration : 10'

Iolanta Artists

Mihi Kim, Laëtitia Brault and Bertrand Giraud: World Premiere (30/07/24), Académie Internationale des Arts de Flaine, France