Not Love Alone Tickets

The Stanislavsky Theatre, located in XIX century historical building just 750 metres (9-minute walk) from the Bolshoi, proudly presents this opera with a cast of exceptional artists, many of whom have performed on the stages of the Bolshoi Theatre and trained at the same prestigious academies that have nurtured generations of Russia’s leading opera and ballet performers. Their mastery and profound artistry bring Shchedrin’s rich emotional tapestry to life, creating a performance that combines historical authenticity with vivid dramatic power, offering the audience an unforgettable operatic experience. Opera at the Stanislavsky Theatre is the great and affordable alternative to the Bolshoi.

In 1961, Rodion Shchedrin composed the opera Not Love Alone on a libretto by Vasily Katanian, inspired by the stories of Sergey Antonov. The action of the composer’s first work in the operatic genre unfolds in a Soviet collective farm village, ten years after the end of the Great Patriotic War. At the heart of the story is Varvara Vasilyevna, the chairwoman of the kolkhoz, who faces a difficult choice between her feelings for a young man and her professional duty.

Under the direction of Evgeny Pisarev, the production remains entirely faithful to the historical period described in the libretto. Impressionistic scenography and nearly documentary-style costumes reflect the dual nature of Shchedrin’s music, in which lyricism is intertwined with contemporary folk songs and ditties. “Of course, the central theme is a lyrical story of unfulfilled love,” explains the director. “It is about the brokenness of the souls of strong people. These people have been scarred by war, suffocated by the harsh realities of collective farm life. And yet, they remain harmonious and full of the desire to live and love.”

Felix Korobov, the theatre’s principal conductor, adds: “Within this roughly two-hour opera lies an immense spectrum of emotions, intertwining irony, humor, heartfelt intensity, and great tragedy. We are drawn into the whirlpool of passions, a unique cluster of dramatic energy comparable to that in Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District.”

The production is a laureate of the Golden Mask Award in the categories of Best Opera Production and Best Director’s Work (2025).