Prokofiev: Semyon Kotko - VALERY GERGIEV, MARIINSKY ORCHESTRA (Blu-Ray+DVD)

"Double Play" package includes a BluRay and a DVD

Catch [Gergiev & the Mariinsky Opera] firing on all cylinders in one of the lesser-known peaks of the Russian repertory and the experience can be overwhelming…there’s a characterful performance from Gennady Bezzubenkov as the villainous ‘kulak’ Tkachenko, while Viktor Lutsyuk…comes across as credibly strong and caring. Evgeny Nikitin is luxury casting as the inescapably one-dimensional Party man, Remeniuk…indispensable - BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE

Valery Gergiev is a born Prokofiev interpreter. --The Guardian

Raw, thrilling, and utterly engrossing, with strong performances. Viktor Lutsyuk has everything required for the part- the right voice, plenty of panache and lots of presence. --The Moscow Times

Viktor Lutsyuk (Semyon Kotko), Gennadi Bezzubenkov (Tkachenko), Tatiana Pavlovskaya (Sofya), Varvara Solovyova (Frosya) & Evgeny Nikitin (Remenyuk)

Mariinsky Orchestra and Chorus, Valery Gergiev (conductor) & Yuri Alexandrov (stage director)

Valery Gergiev, one of the worlds leading authorities on Prokofiev interpretation, is joined by a brilliant cast of soloists to celebrate the Russian genius with a world-first DVD & Blu-ray release of his opera, Semyon Kotko. This production was directed by the award-winning stage director Yuri Alexandrov, and filmed by Mariinsky director Anna Matison, who has filmed operas by Rimsky Korsakov, Shchedrin, and Berlioz. This particular staging originated in 1999, and has won two prestigious awards- the Costa Diva and the Golden Mask. Ukranian tenor Viktor Lutsyuk has received worldwide applause for his portrayal of Semyon. Viktor Lutsyuk sang with bright-eyed enthusiasm as the model hero Semyon, and Tatiana Pavlovskaya was in captivating form as Sofia (The New York Times)