“Histoire du soldat” (The Soldier’s Tale) is a theatrical work “to be read, played, and danced” (lue, jouée et dansée) by three actors and one or several dancers, accompanied by a septet of instruments. Conceived by Igor Stravinsky and Swiss writer C. F. Ramuz, the piece was based on a Russian folk tale drawn from the collection of Alexander Afanasyev called The Runaway Soldier and the Devil.
The libretto relates the parable of a soldier who trades his fiddle to the devil in return for unlimited economic gain. The music is scored for a septet of violin, double bass, clarinet, bassoon, cornet (often played on trumpet), trombone, and percussion, and the story is told by three actors: the soldier, the devil, and a narrator, who also takes on the roles of minor characters. A dancer plays the non-speaking role of the princess, and there may also be additional ensemble dancers.
According to the author, the show had to take place on a small stage: on one side there was the narrator, sitting on a stool, in front of a table with a jug of wine and a glass; on the opposite side there was the orchestra, while in the middle of the scene there were the mime actors and dancers.
With the participation of Peggy Guggenheim Collection, the theatrical adaptation is by Francesco Bortolozzo, director is Alessandro Cappelletto and the instrumentalists are from the Orchestra del Teatro La Fenice.
Website: www.teatrolafenice.it
Location: Malibran Theater, Venice
Schedule: from August 26th to 29th, 2020
Hour: 7.00 pm
Ticket: up to € 45
