• Opera in Focus of Two Studies (on the Materials of Russian Periodicals 2023–2025)

УДК: 792.54:782

DOI: 10.35852/2588-0144-2025-4-219-241

EDN: GDQBXN

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Dana A. Nagina

Cand. Sc. in Art Studies,  Associate Professor of the Department of Analytical Musicology
Gnesins Russian Academy of Music
Moscow, Russia
E-mail: d.nagina@gnesin-academy.ru

Irina P. Susidko

Dr. Sc. in Art Studies, Head of the Department of Music Analysis of The Gnesin Russian Academy of Music, Leading Researcher at the sector of Western Classical Art at The State Institute for Art Studies
The Gnesin Russian Academy of Music, The State Institute for Art Studies
Moscow, Russia
E-mail: lspriv@mail.ru

Nina V. Pilipenko

D. Sc. in Art Studies, Researcher at the Research and Creative Center for the Study of Musical Theatre Problems, Professor of the Department of Analytical Musicology at the Gnesins Russian Academy of Music
Gnesins Russian Academy of Music
Moscow, Russia
E-mail: n.pilipenko@gnesin-academy.ru

Opera in Focus of Two Studies (on the Materials of Russian Periodicals 2023–2025)

Abstract

The article deals with the current problems of opera art studies within the Russian periodicals of 2023–2025. The authors’ attention is focused primarily on the correlation of approaches to the opera reviews in theatre studies and musicology, identifying common ground, common trends and specific differences. Based on the analysis of numerous publications in journals included in the Russian and foreign bibliographic databases of peer-reviewed publications, it was possible to identify three relevant scientific areas. The first is related to the use of archival documents and materials that make it possible to reconstruct the history of the musical theatre. The second direction is based on the systematization and analysis of reviews on theatre productions: it makes possible to trace the changing tastes of the public, recreate a picture of the musical and theatrical life of the city, and change established but erroneous assessments. The articles devoted to the history of music theatre and its reception demonstrated the closeness of the interests between the musicologists and theatre critics, the similarity in approaches and research methods. The third group of publications revealed a problem related to opera as an object of analysis. The specialists of the two related sciences found significant differences in her understanding. In conclusion, the question is raised about the ways of interaction, the “counter movement” of theatre studies and musicological researches.

Keywords

Musical theatre, history of opera, history of theatre, musical direction, stage direction.

For citation

Susidko I. P., Nagina D. A., Pilipenko N. V. Opera in Focus of Two Studies (on the Materials of Russian Periodicals 2023–2025). Theatre. Fine Arts. Cinema. Music. 2025, no. 4, pp. 219–241.

DOI: 10.35852/2588-0144-2025-4-219-241

EDN GDQBXN

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Received: 01.10.2025

Revised: 07.11.2025

Accepted: 09.11.2025