Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s tour of Odessa took place in January 1893. He first visited the city in 1887, on his way from Batumi to Vienna. Six years later, he came there by train. The composer spent a total of two weeks in Odessa, without a minute of rest. His performances were incredibly popular. Festive lunches and dinners were held on a daily basis, in honor of the composer. The audience greeted Tchaikovsky with roaring applause, and important persons were eager to meet him.
Ivan Grekov, an impresario of the Odessa Theaer of Opera, gifted this edition of the piano score for The Queen of Spades to the composer, in honor of the opera’s first staging in Odessa. The composer rightfully considered this opera one of his best works.
Grekov ordered this edition from the ‘G. S. Mangubi’ gold and silver shop. The edition he ordered has a silver binding on red velvet and a case with the ‘P. Tch.’ monogram. The Queen of Spades is pictured on the top cover, and the back features the three famous cards: Three of Clubs, Seven of Diamonds, and Ace of Spades.
A poem written by Grekov himself is also engraved on the case: ‘I’m a pitiful rhymer; my humble lyre // Has no magic strings, no wonderful sounds // A true poet would use to glorify you // As a unique composer that you are. But my sincerity will make up for that, // So may my humble verse always remind you // Of someone who loves you, who worships you, // Who deeply respects your genius. // You are the pride of Russia with a famous name // That will not ever be forgotten. // May the Creator keep you safe for many years…’
In Odessa, Tchaikovsky had five rehearsals and attended the first four stagings of the opera. He also rehearsed and performed as a conductor at five symphony concerts. The composer also attended music classes of the Odessa branch of the Imperial Russian Musical Society, which gave a concert in his honor.
During one of the rehearsals of The Queen of Spades, artist Nikolai Kuznetsov painted a portrait of Tchaikovsky right at the theater. The composer had no time to sit for the portrait, so the artist had to finish the painting without him. It is currently the only known portrait of Tchaikovsky painted from life. Pavel Tretyakov really liked that picture. The collector purchased it for his gallery.
Ivan Grekov, an impresario of the Odessa Theaer of Opera, gifted this edition of the piano score for The Queen of Spades to the composer, in honor of the opera’s first staging in Odessa. The composer rightfully considered this opera one of his best works.
Grekov ordered this edition from the ‘G. S. Mangubi’ gold and silver shop. The edition he ordered has a silver binding on red velvet and a case with the ‘P. Tch.’ monogram. The Queen of Spades is pictured on the top cover, and the back features the three famous cards: Three of Clubs, Seven of Diamonds, and Ace of Spades.
A poem written by Grekov himself is also engraved on the case: ‘I’m a pitiful rhymer; my humble lyre // Has no magic strings, no wonderful sounds // A true poet would use to glorify you // As a unique composer that you are. But my sincerity will make up for that, // So may my humble verse always remind you // Of someone who loves you, who worships you, // Who deeply respects your genius. // You are the pride of Russia with a famous name // That will not ever be forgotten. // May the Creator keep you safe for many years…’
In Odessa, Tchaikovsky had five rehearsals and attended the first four stagings of the opera. He also rehearsed and performed as a conductor at five symphony concerts. The composer also attended music classes of the Odessa branch of the Imperial Russian Musical Society, which gave a concert in his honor.
During one of the rehearsals of The Queen of Spades, artist Nikolai Kuznetsov painted a portrait of Tchaikovsky right at the theater. The composer had no time to sit for the portrait, so the artist had to finish the painting without him. It is currently the only known portrait of Tchaikovsky painted from life. Pavel Tretyakov really liked that picture. The collector purchased it for his gallery.
