The Gambler

by Sergej Prokofjew
Opera in four acts and six scenes
Libretto by the composer based on the novel of the same name by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
in russian with German and English surtitles
Fyodor Dostoyevsky was certain that the secret to winning was surprisingly simple: “to control oneself every minute, regardless of the ups and downs of the game, and not to fall into passion.” Despite this knowledge, Dostoyevsky gambled away all his money and that of his lover at the roulette tables of German health resorts - gambling was forbidden elsewhere - which brought them both to the brink of destitution. Nevertheless, he capitalized on his experiences of loss: in 1866, he freed himself from an extortionate publishing contract with the novel The Gambler, which he wrote under great pressure. And on top of that, he delivered a study of his own (gambling) obsessions. Half a century later, the young Sergei Prokofiev was fascinated by the panopticon of uprooted characters from the novel, who are stuck in the fictional Roulettenburg under the spell of the wheel that promises happiness: a retired general in debt with plans to get married. with plans to marry, a French woman who suspects he has a fortune, a marquis who advances money to the general because he is keen on his foster daughter Polina - and on the inheritance that the general impatiently awaits until the terminally ill, extremely wealthy relative turns up at the gambling table looking pug-faced. Everyone is acting in their own interests and for the sake of their own reputation. Only the tutor Alexei has neither money nor honor to lose. Infatuated with Polina to the point of insanity, he also ends up at the gambling table and bathes for a moment in the feeling of being on top. Axel Ranisch, who has already imaginatively and lovingly transported The Love for Three Oranges and Hansel and Gretel into the present day at the State Opera, will direct the Stuttgart premiere of Prokofiev's bitterly satirical opera: Roulettenburg as the last refuge of an international haute volée who, despite their main gain - namely having barely escaped a catastrophe - still believe that only those who effortlessly make the big bucks count.
Location
Opernhaus
World premiere
1929 in Brussels

Premiere of this production
February 2, 2025
Recommended age
from class 8
There will be a german introduction 45 minutes before the performance at foyer I. floor.
Feb 2025
https://www.staatsoperstuttgart.de Staatsoper Stuttgart Oberer Schloßgarten 6, 70173 Stuttgart

Sun
2
17:00
Opernhaus
Premiere
8 / 18,50 / 29 / 43 / 58 / 72 / 90 / 108 / 126 €
Cast
Musikalische Leitung Nicholas Carter
Regie Axel Ranisch
Bühne Saskia Wunsch
Kostüme Claudia Irro, Bettina Werner
Video Philipp Contag-Lada
Licht Valentin Däumler
Chor Manuel Pujol
Dramaturgie Miron Hakenbeck
General Goran Jurić
Polina Aušrine Stundyte
Alexej Daniel Brenna
Babulenka Véronique Gens
Marquis Elmar Gilbertsson
Mr. Astley Shigeo Ishino
Mlle. Blanche Stine Marie Fischer
Fürst Nilski Robin Neck
Erster Croupier Hojong Song
Zweiter Croupier Ilja Werger
Aufgetakelte Dame Olga Paul
Farblose Dame Catriona Smith
Krankhafter Spieler Alexander Efanov
Buckliger Spieler Alexej Shestov
Staatsorchester Stuttgart, Staatsopernchor Stuttgart
https://www.staatsoperstuttgart.de Staatsoper Stuttgart Oberer Schloßgarten 6, 70173 Stuttgart

Wed
5
Evening
Opernhaus
8 / 17 / 26 / 40 / 53 / 66 / 82 / 99 / 115 €
https://www.staatsoperstuttgart.de Staatsoper Stuttgart Oberer Schloßgarten 6, 70173 Stuttgart

Thu
20
19:00
Opernhaus
8 / 17 / 26 / 40 / 53 / 66 / 82 / 99 / 115 €
https://www.staatsoperstuttgart.de Staatsoper Stuttgart Oberer Schloßgarten 6, 70173 Stuttgart

Sun
23
18:00
Opernhaus
8 / 17 / 26 / 40 / 53 / 66 / 82 / 99 / 115 €
Mar 2025
https://www.staatsoperstuttgart.de Staatsoper Stuttgart Oberer Schloßgarten 6, 70173 Stuttgart

Mon
10
19:00
Opernhaus
8 / 17 / 26 / 40 / 53 / 66 / 82 / 99 / 115 €
https://www.staatsoperstuttgart.de Staatsoper Stuttgart Oberer Schloßgarten 6, 70173 Stuttgart

Sat
15
19:00
Opernhaus
8 / 17 / 26 / 40 / 53 / 66 / 82 / 99 / 115 €
https://www.staatsoperstuttgart.de Staatsoper Stuttgart Oberer Schloßgarten 6, 70173 Stuttgart

Wed
19
19:00
Opernhaus
8 / 17 / 26 / 40 / 53 / 66 / 82 / 99 / 115 €
https://www.staatsoperstuttgart.de Staatsoper Stuttgart Oberer Schloßgarten 6, 70173 Stuttgart

Sun
30
19:00
Opernhaus
8 / 17 / 26 / 40 / 53 / 66 / 82 / 99 / 115 €