The Gambler
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
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.
#StgtSpieler
Duration
Act I-III: approx. 1 h 25 min
Interval: approx. 25 min
Act IV: approx. 40 min
Act I-III: approx. 1 h 25 min
Interval: approx. 25 min
Act IV: approx. 40 min
World premiere
1929 in Brussels
Premiere of this production
February 2, 2025
1929 in Brussels
Premiere of this production
February 2, 2025
Recommended age
from class 8
from class 8
There will be a german introduction 45 minutes before the performance at foyer I. floor.
Feb 2025
Mar 2025
The Gambler
Sun
30
19:00 – 21:45
Opernhaus
Opernhaus
Cast
Musikalische Leitung Alexander Vitlin
Regie Axel Ranisch
Bühne Saskia Wunsch
Kostüme Claudia Irro, Bettina Werner
Projektionen Philipp Contag-Lada
Licht Valentin Däumler
Choreografische Mitarbeit Janine Grellscheid
Chor Manuel Pujol
Dramaturgie Miron Hakenbeck
Regie Axel Ranisch
Bühne Saskia Wunsch
Kostüme Claudia Irro, Bettina Werner
Projektionen Philipp Contag-Lada
Licht Valentin Däumler
Choreografische Mitarbeit Janine Grellscheid
Chor Manuel Pujol
Dramaturgie Miron Hakenbeck
General Goran Jurić
Polina Aušrinė Stundytė
Alexej Daniel Brenna
Babulenka Véronique Gens
Marquis Elmar Gilbertsson
Mr. Astley Shigeo Ishino
Mlle. Blanche Stine Marie Fischer
Fürst Nilski Robin Neck
Baron Wurmerhelm Peter Lobert
Potapytsch Jacobo Ochoa
Erster Croupier Hojong Song
Zweiter Croupier Ilja Werger
Aufgetakelte Dame Olga Paul
Blasse Dame Catriona Smith
Respektable Dame Simone Jackel
Krankhafter Spieler Alexander Efanov
Buckliger Spieler Alexej Shestov
Staatsorchester Stuttgart, Staatsopernchor Stuttgart
Polina Aušrinė Stundytė
Alexej Daniel Brenna
Babulenka Véronique Gens
Marquis Elmar Gilbertsson
Mr. Astley Shigeo Ishino
Mlle. Blanche Stine Marie Fischer
Fürst Nilski Robin Neck
Baron Wurmerhelm Peter Lobert
Potapytsch Jacobo Ochoa
Erster Croupier Hojong Song
Zweiter Croupier Ilja Werger
Aufgetakelte Dame Olga Paul
Blasse Dame Catriona Smith
Respektable Dame Simone Jackel
Krankhafter Spieler Alexander Efanov
Buckliger Spieler Alexej Shestov
Staatsorchester Stuttgart, Staatsopernchor Stuttgart
Synopsis
Act one
Polina waits impatiently for Alexei. He is reluctant to tell her how he fared at the gambling table. The money he bet on Polina’s behalf at the roulette wheel is all gone.
Polina’s stepfather, the General, is waiting just as impatiently for news concerning the deteriorating health of the old Babulenka, a wealthy relative in Moscow. Her death would solve his money problems instantly. It would also finally enable him to marry Mademoiselle Blanche, with whom the General has been cavorting for some time in Roulettenburg. For the time being, he needs to borrow money from the Marquis, though he assures him the days of frail Babulenka are numbered.
The General remonstrates with Alexei, his children’s private tutor, concerning the gambling losses. Alexei reacts to the advice, that it would be better to achieve modest wealth by means of hard work and frugality, with disdain.
Alexei presses Polina to tell him why she needs money so urgently. He jealously suspects the Marquis’s involvement. Alexei is confident of winning at roulette as soon as he can play only for himself. With money, he believes, he would finally be of value to Polina. He admits to being obsessed with the idea of acting violently towards her out of love. At the same time, he declares a willingness to submit to her will. Polina challenges him: Would he kill for her? Alexei says he would. Nevertheless, the proof of loyalty Polina eventually demands seems nothing more than a childish prank. Alexei brazenly fawns over the wife of a baron, causing considerable uproar.
Act two
The General gives Alexei a dressing down following the incident with Baroness Wurmerhelm and dismisses him from his service. Alexei, though, will not be cowed. He retorts that the General should never have made amends with the Baron in Alexei’s absence, let alone apologise on his behalf. He therefore feels compelled to demand satisfaction from the baron. The General pleads with him not to provoke any further scandal.
Alexei learns from Mr Astley that the General, due to his lover Blanche’s dubious background, is determined to avoid a fuss. The Marquis endeavours to steer Alexei’s sympathies towards the General’s predicament. The last card up his sleeve is a letter he gives to Alexei from Polina, in which she orders him not to do anything else foolish. Despondent, Alexei wonders about the relationship between Polina and the Marquis.
While all await the news of her passing, Babulenka arrives in Roulettenburg in the best of health. Her miraculous recovery causes much consternation. She quickly exposes the concern for her wellbeing as nothing more than a pretence. Rather than leave her wealth to her mendacious heir, she would rather amuse herself in Roulettenburg and see the famous roulette table for herself. She chooses Alexei to be her companion.
Polina waits impatiently for Alexei. He is reluctant to tell her how he fared at the gambling table. The money he bet on Polina’s behalf at the roulette wheel is all gone.
Polina’s stepfather, the General, is waiting just as impatiently for news concerning the deteriorating health of the old Babulenka, a wealthy relative in Moscow. Her death would solve his money problems instantly. It would also finally enable him to marry Mademoiselle Blanche, with whom the General has been cavorting for some time in Roulettenburg. For the time being, he needs to borrow money from the Marquis, though he assures him the days of frail Babulenka are numbered.
The General remonstrates with Alexei, his children’s private tutor, concerning the gambling losses. Alexei reacts to the advice, that it would be better to achieve modest wealth by means of hard work and frugality, with disdain.
Alexei presses Polina to tell him why she needs money so urgently. He jealously suspects the Marquis’s involvement. Alexei is confident of winning at roulette as soon as he can play only for himself. With money, he believes, he would finally be of value to Polina. He admits to being obsessed with the idea of acting violently towards her out of love. At the same time, he declares a willingness to submit to her will. Polina challenges him: Would he kill for her? Alexei says he would. Nevertheless, the proof of loyalty Polina eventually demands seems nothing more than a childish prank. Alexei brazenly fawns over the wife of a baron, causing considerable uproar.
Act two
The General gives Alexei a dressing down following the incident with Baroness Wurmerhelm and dismisses him from his service. Alexei, though, will not be cowed. He retorts that the General should never have made amends with the Baron in Alexei’s absence, let alone apologise on his behalf. He therefore feels compelled to demand satisfaction from the baron. The General pleads with him not to provoke any further scandal.
Alexei learns from Mr Astley that the General, due to his lover Blanche’s dubious background, is determined to avoid a fuss. The Marquis endeavours to steer Alexei’s sympathies towards the General’s predicament. The last card up his sleeve is a letter he gives to Alexei from Polina, in which she orders him not to do anything else foolish. Despondent, Alexei wonders about the relationship between Polina and the Marquis.
While all await the news of her passing, Babulenka arrives in Roulettenburg in the best of health. Her miraculous recovery causes much consternation. She quickly exposes the concern for her wellbeing as nothing more than a pretence. Rather than leave her wealth to her mendacious heir, she would rather amuse herself in Roulettenburg and see the famous roulette table for herself. She chooses Alexei to be her companion.
Act three
In view of the goings-on at the casino, the General fears for his inheritance. Babulenka is gambling incessantly, placing every bet undeviatingly on zero. In so doing, she has already frittered away vast sums of money. The General, Blanche and the Marquis implore Alexei to prevent her from gambling. Their anxiety leaves Alexei unmoved. He can only think of Polina.
Financially ruined and exhausted from the many hours spent at the gambling table, Babulenka decides to leave for home immediately. She borrows money from Mr Astley for this purpose. Polina passes up the offer to accompany and live with her. First, she has a matter to resolve.
The General is prevented from speaking with Babulenka by her servant. Furious that his inheritance has been gambled away, he fantasises about having Babulenka incapacitated. Terrified of losing Blanche to somebody else he breaks down.
Act four
Polina once again surprises Alexei. She gives him a letter to read from the Marquis which has deeply offended her. In it the Marquis claims to be in financial difficulties himself, as a result of the General’s debts. He must therefore take his leave and abandon any hope of a relationship with Polina. However, wanting to appear obliging, he will cancel 50,000 of the General’s debt, an amount the General owed to Polina.
Alexei takes Polina’s remark about throwing the money in the Marquis’s face literally and considers how to redress the offence caused by the Marquis. He finally supposes to understand why Polina came to him and decides to try his luck at the gambling table.
At the roulette table, Alexei begins a frenzied run of success. He places increasingly risky bets on red, winning round after round – keenly observed and admired by the other gamblers. One after the other, Alexei breaks the bank at two tables, forcing them to close. The less successful players marvel at Alexei who, on their behalf, has exacted retribution on the casino. The Director is certain that Alexei has condemned himself to a lifetime of gambling.
Having now returned from the casino, Alexei is in such high spirits from his astonishing success that he barely notices Polina. He offers her the money. She refuses. Something for nothing is unacceptable. Would he buy her just as the Marquis once did? For a moment, Alexei and Polina dream of leaving together. But Polina reaches a different decision: She leaves Alexei who is still luxuriating in the euphoria of his big win.
In view of the goings-on at the casino, the General fears for his inheritance. Babulenka is gambling incessantly, placing every bet undeviatingly on zero. In so doing, she has already frittered away vast sums of money. The General, Blanche and the Marquis implore Alexei to prevent her from gambling. Their anxiety leaves Alexei unmoved. He can only think of Polina.
Financially ruined and exhausted from the many hours spent at the gambling table, Babulenka decides to leave for home immediately. She borrows money from Mr Astley for this purpose. Polina passes up the offer to accompany and live with her. First, she has a matter to resolve.
The General is prevented from speaking with Babulenka by her servant. Furious that his inheritance has been gambled away, he fantasises about having Babulenka incapacitated. Terrified of losing Blanche to somebody else he breaks down.
Act four
Polina once again surprises Alexei. She gives him a letter to read from the Marquis which has deeply offended her. In it the Marquis claims to be in financial difficulties himself, as a result of the General’s debts. He must therefore take his leave and abandon any hope of a relationship with Polina. However, wanting to appear obliging, he will cancel 50,000 of the General’s debt, an amount the General owed to Polina.
Alexei takes Polina’s remark about throwing the money in the Marquis’s face literally and considers how to redress the offence caused by the Marquis. He finally supposes to understand why Polina came to him and decides to try his luck at the gambling table.
At the roulette table, Alexei begins a frenzied run of success. He places increasingly risky bets on red, winning round after round – keenly observed and admired by the other gamblers. One after the other, Alexei breaks the bank at two tables, forcing them to close. The less successful players marvel at Alexei who, on their behalf, has exacted retribution on the casino. The Director is certain that Alexei has condemned himself to a lifetime of gambling.
Having now returned from the casino, Alexei is in such high spirits from his astonishing success that he barely notices Polina. He offers her the money. She refuses. Something for nothing is unacceptable. Would he buy her just as the Marquis once did? For a moment, Alexei and Polina dream of leaving together. But Polina reaches a different decision: She leaves Alexei who is still luxuriating in the euphoria of his big win.