Mezzo-sopranos in the role of Fedor Basmanov, favorite of Ivan the Terrible, in Tchaikovsky’s
Mezzo-sopranos in the role of Fedor Basmanov, favorite of Ivan the Terrible, in Tchaikovsky’s opera Oprichnik (1872). From top to bottom: M. I. Dolina, E. I. Zrubeva, N. A. Fride, A. V. Kravets, L. G. Zviagina, T. S. Liubatovich. Late 19th-early 20th centuries.The role of Basmanov is the only so-called “trouser role” (a male role written to be performed by women) in Tchaikovsky’s operas. The queer sexual subtext surrounding the character is quite overt and caused trouble for both Imperial and later Soviet censors. We stan a legend.(photos sourced from goskatalog.ru) -- source link
#theatre#tchaikovsky#nineteenth century#mezzo soprano#oprichnik#fedor basmanov#trouser role#travesty#travesti#russia#imperial russia#опера#theater#чайковский#опричник#иван грозный#федор басманов#театр#genderqueer#квир