Lolita (opera)

Lolita is an opera in two acts by composer Rodion Shchedrin, with a libretto by the composer himself, based on Vladimir Nabokov's novel of the same name.

The opera premiered on December 14, 1994, at the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm. Mstislav Rostropovich conducted the performance. The premiere was controversial due to the subject matter of the source material.

The opera follows the core narrative of Nabokov's novel, focusing on the obsessive relationship between Humbert Humbert, a middle-aged literature professor, and Dolores Haze, a precocious young girl he nicknames "Lolita." The opera explores themes of obsession, forbidden desire, the loss of innocence, and the destructive nature of fantasy.

Shchedrin's score is known for its complex and challenging vocal writing, as well as its use of a large orchestra and a variety of musical styles to represent the inner turmoil and fragmented reality experienced by the characters, particularly Humbert. The music aims to capture the psychological nuances and unsettling atmosphere of Nabokov's novel. The orchestration frequently incorporates contrasting textures and dynamic shifts to underscore the dramatic tension.

The opera has received mixed reviews, with some critics praising Shchedrin's ambitious attempt to adapt a complex and controversial novel, while others have found the opera problematic due to its subject matter and its potential to sensationalize the relationship between Humbert and Lolita. Subsequent productions and performances have continued to generate debate about the work's artistic merit and its ethical implications.