Indiana University Television Opera Theater; Myshkin

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Series
Indiana University Television Opera Theater
Program
Myshkin
Producing Organization
WNET (Television station : New York, N.Y.)
Public Broadcasting Service (U.S.)
WTIU (Television station : Bloomington, Ind.)
Contributing Organization
The Walter J. Brown Media Archives & Peabody Awards Collection at the University of Georgia (Athens, Georgia)
AAPB ID
cpb-aacip-526-3t9d50gw40
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Description
Program Description
"MYSHKIN is the 21st presentation of the Indiana University Television Opera Theater. Starting in 1953 as a cooperative effort of the School of Music and Indiana University Television, the project has focused its attention on experimenting with TV Opera Production forms, and on presenting new and/or unusual works. Attachment A provides an outline history of 20 years of television opera at Indiana University. MYSHKIN was composed by I.U. faculty member John Eaton and is based on episodes from Dostoyevsky's 'The Idiot.' The viewer sees and experiences the action of the opera through Prince Myshkin's (he is never seen) eyes. Characters and events appear in or out of focus -- or otherwise distorted -- in accordance with Myshkin's state of mind. The opera is scored for chamber orchestra tuned in quarter tones and electronic instruments. When Myshkin is irrational or during his epileptic seizure when he shatters a vase, only the electronic instruments are heard. When he is rational and seeing events clearly, the electronic music weaves in and out of the music created by the orchestra. The opera consists of 26 scenes assembled from 200 sequences and set-ups. All of the performers and production personnel, with the exception of a lighting consultant, are students, staff, and faculty from the University. MYSHKIN is the first Indiana TV opera to be carried on a national network. It also represents the fulfillment of a project undertaken 20 years ago to establish a Bloomington based television theater capable of producing opera for a nationwide audience."--1973 Peabody Awards entry form. Myshkin is a WTIU production that was presented by WNET opera on PBS. This episode is a television presentation of the opera "Myshkin." All of the action is seen through Myshkin's point of view and reflect his state of mind. The opera utilizes electronic instruments in its music as well as a traditional orchestra. The story centers on Myshkin's love of Nastasya, and she is charmed by him because he does not offer any money to marry her, as she is bombarded by offers of marriage. She chooses to marry Myshkin, and throws the other men's money into the fire. Although Myshkin is still in love with Nastasya, he becomes betrothed to Aglaya. Myshkin's mental state deteriorates, and he has a seizure and mental break, during which he sees Nastasya and Aglaya fighting over him. The opera ends with Nastasya's murder and Myshkin falling into madness.
Broadcast Date
1973-04-23
Asset type
Program
Media type
Moving Image
Duration
00:51:11.135
Credits
Assistant Director: Handelman, Debbie
Composer: Eaton, John
Composer: Creagh, Patrick
Director: Seltz, Herbert A.
Director: Allen, Ross
Producer: Seltz, Herbert A.
Producing Organization: WNET (Television station : New York, N.Y.)
Producing Organization: Public Broadcasting Service (U.S.)
Producing Organization: WTIU (Television station : Bloomington, Ind.)
Writer: Dostoyevsky, Fyodor
AAPB Contributor Holdings
The Walter J. Brown Media Archives & Peabody Awards Collection at the University of Georgia
Identifier: cpb-aacip-c3ecc02ecc0 (Filename)
Format: U-matic
Duration: 0:54:53
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Citations
Chicago: “Indiana University Television Opera Theater; Myshkin,” 1973-04-23, The Walter J. Brown Media Archives & Peabody Awards Collection at the University of Georgia, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC, accessed December 22, 2024, http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-526-3t9d50gw40.
MLA: “Indiana University Television Opera Theater; Myshkin.” 1973-04-23. The Walter J. Brown Media Archives & Peabody Awards Collection at the University of Georgia, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC. Web. December 22, 2024. <http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-526-3t9d50gw40>.
APA: Indiana University Television Opera Theater; Myshkin. Boston, MA: The Walter J. Brown Media Archives & Peabody Awards Collection at the University of Georgia, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC. Retrieved from http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-526-3t9d50gw40