Independent Opera Company opens its 14th season with Fair at the Sorotchintsy by M. Mussorgsky

Independent Opera Company begins its 2025-2026 season with Fair at the Sorotchintsy by M. Mussorgsky.

This fun and lighthearted opera is Mussorgsky’s last work, based on a story by Russian writer Nikolai Gogol. Colorful and lovely, it tells the tale of Ukrainian village life: young lovers Gritsko and Parasya; and Parasya's father, Cherevik, who likes to drink a little too much, but is a loving and kindhearted person.

Other characters include Chervik's mean wife, Parasya's stepmother Khivrya, Cherevik's friend Kum, and a clever Gypsy. The opera also has some elements of fairytale and mystery, with the story of the Red Jacket that the devil lost, and the whole section based on Night on Bald Mountain, a famous work by Mussorgsky.

The composer died before he could finish his opera, and never saw it performed. There have been various attempts to finish it, the most successful by the Soviet composer Shebalin. This version of Fair at the Sorotchintsy is the most faithful to Mussorgsky's intent, and is the version that IOC will perform. 

Fair at the Sorotchintsy has been performed in Russia and other Russian speaking regions; however, we believe it has never been performed in the US and the IOC production will be the US premiere of this fabulous work! We are really proud to bring it to life here, in Los Angeles. We are especially glad to present this work, as it serves as a kind of cultural bridge between Russian and Ukrainian culture, with some of the opera sounding more Ukrainian than Russian.

Independent Opera Company will present Fair at the Sorotchintsy concert-style, with piano accompaniment. Two dates only! Friday, November 14th and Saturday, November 15th at 7:30 pm. St. Andrew's Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall 1155 National Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90064.