The historical performance by Catherine II <i>The Early Reign of Oleg</i>: Russian history and foreign policy on the musical and theatrical scene
The Early Reign of Oleg is a unique musical and theatrical project of Catherine II. In this work, echoes of the foreign policy intentions of the “Greek project”, popular educational ideas about the exemplary ruler, the declaration of the historical originality of the monarchical system of government, subordinate to the idea of glorifying the power, greatness and prosperity of the Russian power under the scepter of the wise empress were united. The music of The Early Reign of Oleg is the result of professional collaboration of the composer triumvirate. The instrumental part of the performance was entrusted to Carlo Canobbio, the women’s wedding choirs of Act III - to Vasily Pashkevich, and the music of the final V act (choirs and “ancient Greek” melodrama) - to Giuseppe Sarti. This led to a specific “musical diversity” of historical performance.