The idea of creating this opera arose after P. I. Tchaikovsky familiarized himself with the drama of the Danish writer G. Hertz, entitled “Daughter of King Rene”. It is noteworthy that the libretto for the future opera was written by the composer's brother M. I. Tchaikovsky after the premiere of the play “Daughter of King Renee” on the stage of the Moscow Maly Theater. But this drama is known to us under the name “Iolanta”. The opera, the summary of which turned out to be a subject of interest today, is a truly touching lyrical work.
Blind princess
What is this drama about? The action takes place in the distant XV century, in southern France in the province of Provence. It is there, in the mountains, that there is a magnificent castle where the only daughter of the powerful king lives. The girl is incredibly beautiful, but struck from nature by a terrible ailment. She is completely blind.
Her father, King Rene, loves his daughter very much and tries by all means to cure the unfortunate girl (by the way, her name is Iolanthe). The opera, the summary of which we recall, tells us about the royal prohibition of its subjects from talking about sunlight and colors that fill the world.
The verdict of the doctor
However, Renee continues to actively seek a way to cure her daughter. He calls from a distant country a famous Moorish doctor named Ebn Khakia. In order not to embarrass the girl, a Moorish doctor examines her during sleep. Ebn-Khakia reports bad news to the king. In his opinion, Iolante can return vision, but for this, the girl herself must very much want this.
Rene is confused. How will he discover the surrounding world in which Iolanthe lives? The opera (a summary, of course, will not convey the lyrics of music) reveals paternal feelings and doubts very clearly.
Lost travelers
While the king painfully reflected on further actions, two lost travelers accidentally wander into the royal garden. These are the young nobles Gottfried Vaudemont - a Burgundian knight, and his faithful friend the Duke Robert. The young men do not know that they are in the royal garden, and are trying to find someone who could suggest a way to the servants who have lost them.
Wandering around the royal garden, they accidentally discover Iolanta sleeping on the terrace of the palace. And if Robert quite indifferently accepted this fact, then Vodemon from the very beginning was struck by the beauty of the girl. The libretto of the opera “Iolanta” (P. Tchaikovsky wrote it in 1891) tells us that the behavior of the young Duke Robert is explained by his love for the Lorraine Countess Matilda. However, the word of honor given by his parents obliged Robert to associate his life with Princess Iolanta, the daughter of King Rene, whom he had never seen. Talking about his feelings to Vodemon, Robert complains about the injustice of fate. But Vodemon advises his friend not to rush and will rely on the wisdom of King Rene. Say, he will surely understand Robert and cancel the engagement.
Aroused desire
How does the libretto of the opera Iolanthe continue? We will continue the summary from the moment when Iolanthe, having heard unfamiliar voices, wakes up. She rushes towards the young nobles and, having encountered them, asks who they are and where they came from in the garden. Vodemon explains to the girl that they are lost travelers. The girl offers them wine, but Robert, fearing a trap, refuses and leaves to look for the backward servants.
Vodemon is struck by the beauty of Iolanta, but discovers that the girl is completely blind. She does not even know that rose flowers have different shades. Vodemon talks about the beauty of the world, but Iolanthe (the summary does not contain the entire dialogue) does not understand the young man. Everything that Vodemon described did not fit in her head. She does not know how to react to this, whether she wants to see the world around her.
Learning of this, the king was angry. But at the same time, he saw a chance to introduce Iolanthe precisely to the exciting state that the doctor was talking about. Rene threatens to execute Vodemon if the girl as a result of treatment cannot see. Iolanthe, frightened for the life of Vodemon who has already become close, assures his father that he wants to see. The doctor starts the operation.
Happy lovers
Here appears the Duke Robert, along with faithful servants. He is a little embarrassed when he sees King Rene. After all, he will have to connect his life with his daughter. Vaudemon hints to Robert that the time has come for an explanation with the king. Having cast aside doubts, Robert confesses to the king his love for Countess Matilda and asks to save him from the word given by his parents. Oddly enough, Rene agrees. He refuses his old arrangements with the parents of the young man, according to whom Iolanthe should become Robert's wife.
The opera, the summary of which is already approaching the finale, ends with the princess getting her eyesight. To celebrate, King Renee gives his hand to his daughter Vaudemont.