#Mazepa

[opera-ghosts]

OTD in Music History: Composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky (1840 - 1893) sits down and writes a letter to his friend, the famous Russian conductor Eduard Napravnik (1839 - 1916), letting him know that Tchaikovsky will unfortunately not be able to attend the final rehearsals for the St. Petersburg production of his new opera "Mazeppa," because he must instead stay in Moscow to oversee the final rehearsals of the production of the same opera in that city. Tchaikovsky composed "Mazeppa" between 1881 and 1883, and two related “world premieres” were arranged: Moscow (February 3, 1884) and St. Petersburg (February 6, 1884) -- the latter to take place under Napravnik´s baton. At both of these performances, the work was regrettably marred by uneven vocal and acting abilities within the two casts. The press and the public nevertheless responded warmly in Moscow, but "Mazeppa" received a harsh critical roasting in St. Petersburg. Tchaikovsky's brother, Modest, initially hid that fact from Tchaikovsky -- and when Tchaikovsky finally learned the truth some weeks later, he wrote the following to Modest: "You did well, because the truth might have killed me." PICTURED: The original letter that Tchaikovsky wrote to Napravnik, referenced above, dated less than two weeks before the world premiere of "Mazeppa". This letter reads in part (translated): "It is impossible for me to leave Moscow, where rehearsals are due to begin any moment now, too. My earnest request to you is to rehearse my opera without waiting for me . . . I am transferring all my rights of authorship concerning interference into studying for and performing the opera entirely with you . . . I nourish absolute trust in your friendly sympathy for the fate of my opera . . . be assured that I am not in the least exaggerating saying that I unconditionally trust your craftsmanship, experience, and friendship . . ." Given the poor reviews, perhaps Tchaikovsky placed too much faith in his friend?

[dontforgetukraine]

Русалки (Water-Nymphs, 1948) by Halyna Mazepa

[illyanarasputinfan]

Salem’s Seven

Agatha All Along (2024) Marvel Television

Bethany Michelle Curry: Crow

Okwui Okpokwasili: Cicada

Chau Naumova: Wolf

Alicia Vela-Bailey: Owl

Marina Mazepa: Snake

Athena Perample: Fox

Britta Grant: Rat

[greatcombinations]

[vintage-ukraine]

Witches by Halyna Mazepa, 1977

[patsuking]

Katharina Nahlik

[so-sexy-and-hot]

[fanta30]

Katharina Mazepa

[marykk1990]

My next post in support of Ukraine is:

Next site, is a Ukrainian who I already talked about in the thread, but we're going to again. Ivan Stepanovych Mazepa (Іван Степанович Мазепа), because Oleksandr Usyk was holding up his actual sword after defending his heavyweight title, which is flippen awesome. He was Hetman of the Zaporizhian Host from 1687-1708, which means he was the head of state of the Cossack Hetmanate. When he found out that Peter I planned on replacing him as Hetman of the Zaporizhian Host with a "russian" statesman, he defected and sided with Charles XII of Sweden. In 1708, the "russian" Orthodox Church laid an anathema (excommunication) on him, and they've never removed it. Luckily, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, which the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is now affiliated with, doesn't recognize the anathema & that it was placed for political reasons, so is uncanonical. Take that muscovy Patriarchate! During soviet times, Mazepa's name was used derogatively to describe pro-independence movements & anti-"russian" sentiments as "Mazepintsy," but that started to change with Ukrainian Independence in 1991. He is now considered to be a hero of Ukraine, so it's very appropriate for Oleksandr Usyk to be showing his sword to the world. It was brought by museum officials in Ukraine for the event. The Ukrainian Navy's first corvette, the Hetman Ivan Mazepa, is named after him.

And, I've talked about this before. I love the long history represented here. We have Bohdan Khmelnytsky, the very first Hetman of the Zaporizhian Host, from 1648-1657, then Ivan Mazepa, & finally, President Zelenskyy, all with the bulava.

#StandingWithUkraine

#СлаваУкраїні 🇺🇦🌻

[pseudo-satisfaction]

[jsc-lingerie-beauties]

Katharina Mazepa

[greatcombinations]

[nicecurves]

[sexysuccubi]

[worldofbeauties]

Katharina Mazepa

[demifiendrsa]

The Continental: From the World of John Wick | Official Teaser

The three-part John Wick prequel spin-off will stream on Peacock in September 2023.

Poster