"L'Historie du Soldat"
(The Soldier's Tale)
Saturday, February 22, 2020 - 7:30 p.m.
含羞草研究所 Old Main Theatre
Igor Stravinsky鈥檚 尝鈥橦颈蝉迟辞颈谤别 du Soldat (The Soldier鈥檚 Tale) will be presented February 22, 2020 at 含羞草研究所 and February 23, 2020 at the North Dakota Museum of Art (NDMOA) at the University of North Dakota Sunday, February 23, 2020. The event is a collaboration of the 含羞草研究所 Fine Arts Series, 含羞草研究所 Theatre, and the NDMOA Fine Arts Series. Artists are faculty from 含羞草研究所, University of North Dakota, North Dakota State University, and Concordia College and actors and dancers are from the 含羞草研究所 Theater Department.
Composed by Stravinsky in 1918, 尝鈥橦颈蝉迟辞颈谤别 tells the story (libretto by C.F. Ramuz) of a soldier on leave, heading home to see his family. On the way, the soldier runs into another traveler who wishes to purchase his fiddle in exchange for monetary gain. Shortly after the transaction, the soldier realizes he has sold his fiddle to Devil. Fortune, sorrow, reflection, and defeat follow our protagonist through the rest of the tale, with Stravinsky鈥檚 unique, angular, and American jazz-influenced music perfectly blended throughout.
Since its premier, 尝鈥橦颈蝉迟辞颈谤别 has become one of the most significant pieces of chamber music composed in the 20th century. Scored for violin, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, bassoon, double bass, percussion, actors, and dancers, Stravinsky masterfully utilizes each instrument鈥檚 unique timbre to create unforgettable music with a timeless message: 鈥淣o one can have it all.鈥�
Stravinsky hit on hard times when he retreated to Switzerland during WW I. He tried to write small scale, income-producing pieces in hopes that someone might perform them. The result is this thoroughly convincing theater, like a radio drama with music. The score for 尝鈥橦颈蝉迟辞颈谤别 is a series of short interludes marches - a tango, jazzy riffs, funeral and wedding music, etc. featuring the soldier鈥檚 old violin - that prefigure Stravinsky鈥檚 life-long fondness for writing pieces lasting under five minutes. None are as delightful as this score born of empty pockets.
Post Performance Social
All who attend the performance are invited to enjoy refreshments immediately following the show. This time of socializing will take place just outside the Old Main Theatre.
Tickets
Tickets are $25 for adults, and $15 for students.聽
Tickets may be purchased at the MSU Bookstore, 701-788-4823.聽
Questions?
Contact Bob Sylskar at robert.sylskar@mayvillestate.edu or 701-788-4725.
The Soldier's Tale artwork by聽Clive Hicks-Jenkins.