Our foreign correspondent - Little Women at Swan Lake

by Jane Dandelionfire

The March sisters had in "Little Women" exciting adventures in Europe - perhaps they changed a bit of history? Whether in France, Germany, Russia or the States, the grown-up sisters will have a very special (fictional) connection to one of the greatest composers and help him to shape his (and their own) fate - Peter Tchaikovsky. (Based on my research on T. and Swan Lake origins)

8. Chapter 8: Usovo, 1874

Usovo – 1874

Dear Amy,

I hope you, your husband and little Bess are fine at the moment! I'm enjoying my time at Usovo, a beautiful estate. I am searching for inner peace and inspiration strolling through the meadows and woodlands – I have to get rid of the city. How dear are the peasants for me, as in Adolphe Adam's ballet Giselle. Speaking of ballet, did I mention that the owner of this beautiful estate is director of the Imperial Theatres in Moscow? His name is Vladimir Petrovich Begichev and he is a close friend, one of his stepsons is also my music student. He is such a highly cultivated and charming man, you would certainly like him. His house is a centre of artistic life (such as the brilliant opera composer Aleksandr Dargomyzhsky); so I think he would be very fond of you. Vladimir is also the author of many hilarious comedies. You would also perhaps like to meet Konstantin and Vladimir Shilovsky. I have already mentioned that one is my music student, but I think you would perhaps like to meet Konstantin (in a artistic way, your Theodore doesn't need to get jealous). Kolja is an accomplished amateur in many of the arts: He does not only write poetry and composes music - he is also a sculptor! Please, dear Amy, I think we all have to meet or at least must stay together! Don't be afraid of my dear Kolja, he is a kind of special man (some even say he would be involved in alchemy) and I think, we'll work together as kindred spirits.

Now I'll reveal that I'm working on another opera "Vakula the Smith". The Russian Musical Society announced a competition for Gogol's Christmas Eve as subject; one could win 1500 rubles as prize. Wish me good luck (I still know I'm not as good as Delibes or Adam, but I'm ambitious)! Do not worry, it is a charming comedy and a fairy tale with a happy ending (I feel it is also the good influence I have); and I will later rework it to keep it, anyway*. You'll probably remember that I have already abandoned earlier operas and last year I destroyed Undina (yet, I saved the love duet and some other parts). Do you have any recipe to be more patient and stable?

Anyway, my greatest pleasure would be composing ballet music, a fantastic ballet set in medieval times. I talked yesterday with Vladimir Begichev about this topic and he just laughed heartily and said he would be thinking about it (perhaps next year ?). Last year, he gave me the chance to write the music for the beautiful and bittersweet fairy-tale play "The Snow maiden", so why not?

I have so many hopes and for now, I'll send my dear Vakula into the big, harsh world.

Yours always,

Peter

(P.S. Please think about Kolja! We'll have to meet soon again in Europe! What do you think of Paris? I still remember our first meeting!)

* Tchaikovsky reworked it as Cherevichki/The Tsarina's slippers

References:

Tchaikovsky research: Vladimir Begichev; Konstantin Shilovsky; Vakula the Smith; .