Irina can't bear it any longer; it bursts out of her: "My God! Where has it all gone? I've forgotten everything." Then, as if suddenly: "We'll never move to Moscow." Neither the past with its memories nor the future with its hopes offer any support. Time erodes and shrinks to the present—and here emptiness, dissatisfaction, pain, loneliness reign. A condition that haunts almost all the characters in Peter Eötvös' opera Three Sisters (1998)—they are those from Anton Chekhov's drama of the same name. The reactions are varied: repression or relativization, resignation or escape, and, of course, new dreams, hopes, or even plans. Yet a seemingly unbridgeable gap remains between today and the longed-for tomorrow. Why don't these people make it to Moscow, a symbol of a different, better, more meaningful life? What obstacles—internal, external—hold them back? It's a question we continually find ourselves confronting anew, one that brings us so close to Chekhov's and, by extension, Eötvös's characters. It becomes all the more acute in the face of a suddenly spreading fire—a catastrophe that challenges us to take concrete action, that confronts us with destruction and suffering, with death, and the awareness that our own life could end sooner than we imagined.

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Three Sisters

Felsenreitschule

The Cherry Orchard follows a family of down-on-their-luck aristocrats as they grapple with the prospect of selling their beloved estate. As the cherry trees blossom, so do the complexities of love, loss, and the relentless passage of time. This theatrical masterpiece explores what happens when echoes of the past meet the inevitability of change. The Cherry Orchard reveals complex and colorful characters that blend humor and heartache as they encounter the absurdities that abound in simply leading one’s life.

The Cherry Orchard

Cleveland Play House

The beloved Prozorov family returns to Williamstown Theatre Festival this summer to recount their timeless and tumultuous tale of existential longing. In this Chekhov classic, sisters Olga, Masha, and Irina yearn for the promise of Moscow while grappling with the tribulations of unrequited love and family drama at home. In the wake of their father’s death and a changing Russia, the women must face the reality of their choices and take responsibility for their uncertain futures.

'62 Center for Theatre and Dance

Join us at Paxton House for a captivating musical experience, "Music at Paxton: Rothschild's Violin by Anton Chekov," set to take place on Saturday, 27th July, from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. This unique performance brings to life Chekov's poignant story, "Rothschild's Violin," through an extraordinary blend of narrative and classical music.

The event features the acclaimed Mithras Trio, consisting of Ionel Manciu on violin, Leo Popplewell on cello, and Dominic Degavino on piano, who will perform Shostakovich's Piano Trio No.2 in E minor, Op. 67. This piece, inspired by klezmer and Jewish music, complements the narrative of Chekov's story, creating a deeply moving experience. The story revolves around Yakov Ivanov, a village coffin-maker and violinist, who undergoes a profound transformation leading to an unexpected act of generosity.

Gerda Stevenson, an award-winning writer, actor, director, and singer-songwriter, will narrate the story, bringing her vast experience in theatre, television, radio, film, and opera to enrich the performance. The Mithras Trio, known for their exhilarating and highly-toned performances, promise to deliver a musical experience that is both engaging and emotionally stirring.

Tickets for this 50-minute performance are priced at £16, with concessions available at £12. This event is a must-attend for lovers of classical music and literature, offering a unique opportunity to experience Chekov's timeless story through the medium of music.

For more information and to book your tickets, please visit our website. Don't miss this exceptional blend of narrative and music at the picturesque Paxton House, promising an afternoon of cultural enrichment and unforgettable memories.

Anton Chekhov

Events

Past events

8 - 24 Aug, 2025

Three Sisters · Salzburger Festspiele

6 - 16 Nov, 2024

The Cherry Orchard · Cleveland Play House

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