Dark in-between world: Ruslan and Ljudmila” in Hamburg impresses!

Dark in-between world: Ruslan and Ljudmila” in Hamburg impresses!

The new production of Mikhail Glinka's remarkable opera “Ruslan and Lyudmila” premiered at the Hamburg State Opera on November 9, 2025. The performance attended on November 27th shows that the work, which is based on a poem by Alexander Pushkin, transfers the traditional fairytale opera into a dark intermediate world. The directors Alexandra Szemerédy and Magdolna Parditka have shown a good hand here and create space for deeper social and individual questions.

The story is classic: an evil wizard kidnaps the princess on her wedding day, and the knights must go through numerous adventures to bring her back. In Glinka, the plot not only reflects the awakening Russian national feeling of 1842, but also addresses the coming-of-age story of a generation that is looking for its own models of life. Questions about freedom and security are raised here, while challenges to traditional expectations become clear. Glinka musically combines Italian bel canto elements with Slavic, Finnish and Arabic melodies, making the opera unique in its time. These aspects are also impressively conveyed in the production, supported by musical direction by Azim Karimov and the Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra, which performs with precision and power.

Impressions of the production

The visual design impresses with projections and image overlays that draw on allusions to the late Soviet period and address the themes of identity, fears and longings. The contrast between the visual spaces of figure skating, which stands for rigor and control, and the psychological depths of the subway become particularly exciting. These worlds reflect the inner conflicts of the protagonists and give the production a remarkable depth.

Barno Ismatullaeva emotionally brings the role of Lyudmila to the fore with her clear soprano, while Ilia Kazakov embodies the vulnerable Ruslan with a solid bass. Alexei Botnarciuc impresses as the comedic Farlaf with a distinctive bass profile, and Nicky Spence as Bajan/Finn strikes a chord with the audience with his bright tenor. Angela Denoke as Naina and Natalia Tanasii as Gorislawa also show how multifaceted the characters are.

A look back at Glinka's legacy

Mikhail Glinka himself, who is considered the “father of Russian opera”, created an important work with “Ruslan and Lyudmila” that not only shaped Russian musical history. In a historically enthusiastic context in which the art of opera only gradually gained a foothold in Russia, Glinka's compositions laid the foundation for the development of Russian musical theater. His travels to Italy and encounters with other composers led to a synthesis of Western and Slavic influences.

The production at the Hamburg State Opera is therefore more than just a performance of a classical work; it is an invitation to question the themes of the piece anew and to experience them in the here and now. With this fresh and contemporary interpretation, the ensemble has created all the prerequisites to captivate the audience and offer them an unforgettable experience on an opera evening. A remarkable evening, not only the performances but also the subject matter demonstrate a relevance that goes far beyond the music.

For further information about the production and the schedule of the Hamburg State Opera, visit the official website of the Hamburgische Staatsoper as well as the articles on Der Opernfreund. Those interested can also read the comments on Opera for All to find out more about the background of Russian opera culture.