The Love For Three Oranges - Opera North

Set in the fantastical kingdom of Chelm, Prince Vyssly mourns his melancholy son, Prince Calaf, who is plagued by a mysterious hypochondria. To cure him, the wicked sorceress Fata Morgana conjures a spell, forcing Calaf to fall in love with three giant oranges. His quest to find and open these oranges leads to a series of bizarre and comical adventures involving masked figures, magical servants, and a wrestling match with the jester, before ultimately finding his true love within the fruit.

The 1989 Opera North production of Prokofiev's 'The Love for Three Oranges', directed by David Pountney, was lauded for its imaginative staging and spirited performances. The production successfully captured the opera's blend of absurdist humor and dark fairy tale elements, making it accessible and entertaining for both opera aficionados and newcomers. It was particularly noted for its visual inventiveness and the high energy of the cast, which brought the surreal world of Chelm to life.

• Praised for its visual spectacle and inventive stage design.

• Commended for strong vocal performances and comedic timing.

• The production effectively balances Prokofiev's challenging score with accessible humor.

Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews for this particular 1989 production is not readily available. However, general audience reception for 'The Love for Three Oranges' often highlights its unique, surreal humor and the engaging narrative, despite the opera's challenging nature.

None notable for this specific production.

The opera's original libretto, based on Carlo Gozzi's fairy tale play, was written in Russian by the composer Sergei Prokofiev himself, reflecting his desire to imbue the work with a distinct national flavor and his own unique sense of theatricality.