Opera “Grozovan”: a landmark in the history of Moldovan music

Abstract

The opera “Grozovan” by David Gherșfeld, composed in 1955, represents a landmark in the history of Moldovan music, being the first national opera of the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic. It was created in a context of post-war cultural renaissance, with the aim of strengthening national identity and reflecting Moldovan values and traditions. This article analyzes the historical and cultural context of the opera, its musical and thematic structure, as well as its impact on the development of Moldovan musical culture. The review of the existing literature on the work “Grozovan” and the work of David Gherșfeld shows an increased appreciation for his contributions to the Moldovan musical culture. Ghersfeld was a pioneer in the integration of folkloric elements into classical music, and the opera “Grozovan” is often cited as a successful example of this endeavour. The impact of the opera “Grozovan” on Moldovan musical culture was significant, not only in terms of operatic development, but also by stimulating the composition of new works that capture the essence of national identity.

Keywords

• opera
• folklore
• traditions
• literature
• national identity
• folklore elements
• music history