Cast

The story of the opera "Aleko" is inspired by Alexander Pushkin's poem "The Gypsies" and unfolds in a Gypsy camp in Russia. This tragic opera explores themes such as love, jealousy, and revenge, in a vibrant and emotional atmosphere. The action of the opera centers on Aleko, a young Russian aristocrat who, disillusioned by society's morals, decides to leave his world and live among the Gypsies. Here, he falls in love with the beautiful Zemfira, a young Gypsy woman, and finds happiness with her. However, their happiness is overshadowed by the appearance of a rival, the Young Gypsy, who wins Zemfira's heart. Aleko's jealousy and rage reach extreme levels when he discovers his beloved's betrayal. In a dramatic scene, Aleko kills his rival and Zemfira, before the disappointed eyes of the other members of the Gypsy camp. The opera ends with Aleko desperate and alone, facing the consequences of his actions and his own pain.

"Aleko" is a tragic tale of love, jealousy, and loss, which explores its characters' internal and external conflicts in a profoundly poignant and captivating manner.

By the riverside stretches the Gypsy camp. Singing softly, they peacefully prepare for the night. The old Gypsy, father of the beautiful Zemfira, reminisces about his youth and his love, which brought him much suffering. Mariula loved him only for a short time, then left, after a year, with another camp, abandoning her husband and their young daughter.

The old man's story evokes a strong reaction in Aleko. He would never forgive infidelity and therefore cannot understand why the old man did not take revenge on his unfaithful wife and her lover. If he found an enemy even asleep over the sea cliff, he would push him into the depths!

Aleko's speeches are deeply alien and unpleasant to Zemfira, whom he loved until recently. Now this man, who came to their camp from another world, is hostile to her, his cruelty is incomprehensible, and her love has cooled. Zemfira does not hide her passion for a young Gypsy. Rocking the cradle, she sings a song about the old, jealous, unloved husband. "I sing a song about you," she tells Aleko. Night falls, and Zemfira goes out for a rendezvous.

Alone, Aleko sinks into bitter and tormenting reflection. He painfully remembers the happiness that has passed. The thought of Zemfira's betrayal fills him with despair.

Only towards morning do Zemfira and the young Gypsy return. Aleko meets them. For the last time, he begs Zemfira for her love. Trying to soften her heart, he reminds her that for Zemfira's love, he condemned himself to voluntary exile from the society in which he was born and raised. But Zemfira is unyielding. Aleko's pleas turn into threats. Overwhelmed by fury, he kills the young Gypsy. Crying over her lover's death, Zemfira curses Aleko's villainy. Aleko also kills Zemfira. The noise attracts the Gypsies. For them, who hate executions and killings, Aleko's cruel act is incomprehensible. Zemfira's father says: "We are wild, we have no laws, / but we do not torment, we do not execute, / we do not need blood or groans, / we do not want to live with a criminal." The Gypsies leave, leaving Aleko alone, overwhelmed by despair without hope.

"Aleko" is a tragic tale of love, jealousy, and loss, which explores its characters' internal and external conflicts in a profoundly poignant and captivating manner.