The True Story of the prototypes of the rock opera "Juno and Avos": the last love of the Fatherland or the victim?

• The True Story of the prototypes of the rock opera "Juno and Avos": the last love of the Fatherland or the victim?

Sensational rock opera "Juno and Avos", which premiered 35 years ago on the stage of the Lenkom Theater, still has not lost its popularity. The basis of the libretto put Voznesensky poem "Avos", dedicated to the tragic love story of Russian Count Nikolai Rezanov to the young Spaniard Conchita Arguello. Historians say that the image of the graph is too romanticized, and a love story, everything was in fact not the case.

Nikolai Rezanov and Maria Concepcion de Dario Arguello - Conchita

"Juno and Avos" is called the most famous in the world of Russian rock opera. It was created by poet Andrei Voznesensky and composer A. Rybnikov. The premiere took place on July 9, 1981 in the Moscow Theater. Lenin Komsomol, directed by Mark Zakharov. Images created Karachentsov N. and E. Shanin, were so convincing that no one could doubt the veracity of the stories shown on the stage. In fact, it was the first Soviet rock opera, but as rock music in those days would not pass the censorship, the authors of the works called it simply "a modern opera."

Nikolai Rezanov

"Juno" and "Perhaps", led by naval commander Nikolai Rezanov, for food for the Russian colony in Alaska - the story, in 1806, two Russian ship went to California. In San Francisco, 42-year-old Earl met a 16-year-old daughter of the commandant of the fortress, a Spaniard Concepcion (Conchita) Arguello. Between them broke out love, and cutting secretly engaged to Conchita. After he on duty went to Alaska, and then - to St. Petersburg to get permission to marry a Catholic. On the way he fell ill and died. For more than 30 years Conchita waiting for the return of her lover, and when the news of his death were confirmed, she became a nun.

The rock opera Juno and Avos * *. Still from the television version of the play 1983

Historians doubt the sincerity of feelings Rezanova to the young Spaniard. Count instructed to inspect the Russian settlements in Alaska, and to save the locals from famine, he went to California - to establish trade relations with the Spaniards, and get provisions. 42-year-old widower has really made a proposal daughter of the commandant of the fortress Jose Dario Arguello, but they led not suddenly fervent love. Ship's doctor wrote that the cut was not like a man lost his head: "You would think that he fell in love with this beauty. However, due to inherent this cold person careful diligence will assume that it is simply conceived her some diplomatic types. "

Elena Shanin as Conchita, the rock opera Juno and Avos * * 1983

The fact that the action took place at the time of an exacerbation of the Franco-Russian relations. France was an ally of Spain, which at that time belonged to California. Commandant of San Francisco had an order not to enter into trade relations with the enemy. But the daughter of the lord Arguello convinced him to help Russian and provided them with food. Rezanov was going to marry her and take with them to establish links with California and strengthen Russia's position in the Americas.

Nikolai Karachentsov as Rezanov, the rock opera Juno and Avos * * 1983

Abdulov and N. Karachentsov in the rock opera Juno and Avos * * 1983

Left California in June 1806, there Rezanov did not return. Seriously caught a cold on the road, the Earl died in the heat of March 1, 1807 In his last letter he wrote to M. Buldakov, husband, sister of his late wife, Nikolai Petrovich made a very unexpected confession sheds light on the whole story: "From California reports my Do not think, my friend, I Anemones. My love you in the Nevsky under a piece of marble (note -. First wife), and is a consequence of enthusiasm and a new victim of the Fatherland. Kontepsiya sweet like an angel, beautiful, kind-hearted, loves me; I love her, and cry that it is not a place in my heart, here I am, my friend, as a sinner in the spirit, I confess, but you as my shepherd, to keep the secret. " If you believe this letter to the last days only love Rezanova remained Anna Shelekhova - his first wife, who died shortly after birth, and in California, he actually pursued diplomatic goals rather than personal.