Grange Park Opera

This is a rare chance to hear Tchaikovsky’s rich, multi-layered score. Set against a background of aspiring Ukrainian independence, David Stout assumes the demanding title role, marshalling his Cossack troops.

Mazeppa explores this world where the personal and political overlap.

At the heart of the opera lie the choices made by the love interest Mariya. As Wagner’s Isolde, soprano Rachel Nicholls proved fearless, vocally and dramatically. She now faces the challenge of Mariya’s gradual descent into madness.

Cast & Creatives

MAZEPPA, leader of Ukraine ∙ DAVID STOUT
KOCHUBEY, a landed gentleman ∙ LUCIANO BATINIC
LYUBOV, his wife ∙ SARA FULGONI
MARIYA, their daughter ∙ RACHEL NICHOLLS
ANDREI, her childhood friend ∙ JOHN FINDON
ORLIK, Mazeppa’s henchman ∙ ANDRES JANKOWITSCH

CONDUCTOR ∙ MARTYN BRABBINS
DIRECTOR  ∙ DAVID POUNTNEY
DESIGNER  ∙ FRANCIS O’CONNOR
LIGHTING DESIGNER ∙ TIM MITCHELL

Sponsored by a syndicate led by Natasha Tsukanova

ACT 1

Kochubey’s estate

Maria, Kochubey’s daughter, refuses to join the other girls because Mazeppa, the Hetman of Ukraine, is visiting her father. She is infatuated with Mazeppa – even though he is much older than her – and has no feelings for her Cossack admirer, Andrei.

Kochubey’s guests dance a Gopak.

When Mazeppa asks his host for Maria’s hand in marriage, Kochubey is affronted, given the difference in age, but Mazeppa is insistent. A furious quarrel develops between Mazeppa’s soldiers and Kochubey’s guests.

Maria steps in. Mazeppa demands that she choose between him and her parents. “I am yours!” she proclaims and Mazeppa sweeps her away.

Kochubey’s wife, Lyubov, pleads with him to murder Mazeppa. Kochubey has his own plan: he will betray Mazeppa to the Tsar – he will tell him about Mazeppa’s alliance with the Swedes. Andrei will take this information to the Tsar in Moscow.

ACT II

A prison cell in the Byelotserkovsky Palace

The Tsar did not believe Andrei and has arrested Kochubey who will be handed over to Mazeppa. Orlik, Mazeppa’s henchman, demands to know where Kochubey has hidden his treasure. Kochubey refuses to co-operate.

Mazeppa orders Orlik to go ahead with Kochubey’s execution but is tormented; he hasn’t told Maria.

When Maria reproaches him for neglecting her, he reveals his plan for a Ukraine independent of Warsaw and Moscow. To achieve this, he will join forces with Charles of Sweden. Maria is excited and promises to stay by his side in victory or defeat. Mazeppa presses her again to choose between her father and himself; she replies she is ready for any sacrifice. Mazeppa still has not told her.

Liubov begs Maria to stop the execution. Maria is stunned to hear of it.

A crowd has gathered for the execution and Maria and Luibov are too late to stop it.

ACT III

Mazeppa’s Cossacks in alliance with the Swedes fight the Tsar’s army who is victorious.

Kochubey’s estate

Andrei, unable to find Mazeppa in the battle, has returned to his sweetheart’s house. He hides when he hears voices. It is Mazeppa and Orlik, escaping from their disastrous defeat. Andrei attempts to kill Mazeppa and is shot.

Maria appears. She is mad. Mazeppa tries to reason with her but Orlik says they must make their escape. Maria finds Andrei’s body and sings a lullaby to the corpse.